The Italian novelists

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Italian novelists

Volume Tivt

THE

ITALIAN

NOVELISTS

NOW FIRST TRANSLATED INTO
ENGLISH BY

W. G. WATERS

CHOICELY ILLUSTRATED BY

E. R. HUGHES, A.R.W.S., LONDON

IN SEVEN VOLUMES
VOLUME V.

LONDON: PRIVATELY PRINTED
FOR MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY
OF BIBLIOPHILES: MDCCCCI

THE WATER COLOR EDITION
The Text Printed on Venetian Paper

And the Illustrations
Water Colors and Japanese Proofs

IS LIMITED TO

THREE HUNDRED NUMBERED COPIES

FOR EUROPE AND AMERICA

This is Copy No

Annex

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The Lady of Belmonte Welcomes
Giannetto

FIRST NOVEL

THE

PECORONE

OF

SER GIOVANNI

NOW FIRST TRANSLATED INTO
ENGLISH BY

W. G. WATERS

CHOICELY ILLUSTRATED BY

E. R. HUGHES, A.R.W.S., LONDON

LONDON PRIVATELY PRINTED
FOR MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY
OF BIBLIOPHILES: MDCCCCL . • ..

Salutation.

SHjttteen ijtmtotefc anto gefaentg^efgljt tfje gear

When I, one Ser Giovanni, wrote this book,
Ai all may see who list therein to look,
Wrote it, and set in order, neat and clear.

2T0 gi&e a name thereto £ took email care,

Since a good friend of mine its title found,
QTfje Peeotone./er that it doth abound,
With owlish loons, who make within their lair.

& loon mgself, E ober tfjege preside,

And like a bleating calf my way pursue,
Book-making, and I know not what beside,

Granted the times be ripe, and that my due
Of fame and honour with me may abide,

For praise will greet me from the loutish crew.

5Tfjen marfoel not, © reafcer, tf gou finfc -
Book ant) torttet of tlje srlf=same Umb.

proem,

IN order to let fall some spark-
ling ray of refreshing light
and consolation upon him
who may be in that mood,
which in times gone by has weighed on
me, I am moved by charitable and lov-
ing zeal to make beginning of this book
of mine, in which we will treat of a
young man, Brother Auretto, and a maid,
Sister Saturnina, who — as you will un-
derstand in reading this narrative — were
most fervently enamoured one of an-
other. And for the reason that they
knew so well how to keep secret their
meetings, and to bear the yoke of bright-
eyed love, they have supplied me with
matter wherewith to build up the book
which follows, especially when I came

viii PROEM.

to hear of their graceful inventions, their
seemly bearing, and of the amorous con-
versation they held with one another in
order to mitigate the burning flame of
love which consumed them. Wherefore,
finding myself at Dovadola, with my
fortunes blasted, and hunted by ill luck,
as you will be able to understand while
you read this book, and having at hand
material and invention sufficient to let
me tell my story, I began this work in
the year of Christ MCCCLXXVIII., the
year when, by Divine grace, Urban VI.,
my fellow-countryman, was elected to
the supreme pontificate, the most serene
Charles IV. being, by the grace of God,
King of Bohemia and Emperor of the
Romans.

In the city of Forli, in Romagna,
there was a certain monastery where
dwelt a prioress and several sisters, all
women of holy, upright, and perfect
lives, and amongst them was Sister Sat-
urnina, who was in the flower of her
youth, and as well-mannered, prudent,

PROEM. ix

and fair to look upon as nature could
have made her. Moreover, on account
of her honest and heavenly way of life,
the prioress and the other sisters held
her in the highest affection and reverence.
The fame of her loveliness and virtue
shone abroad through the whole country,
so richly had she been dowered by na-
ture ; and on this account a young man
of Florence, named Auretto, a prudent,
clever, and well-mannered youth, one
well versed in the ways of the world,
and one who had spent the greater part
of his possessions in his liberal courtesy,
became enamoured forthwith of the lovely
Saturnina through the fame of her beauty,
without having ever looked upon her
face. Wherefore he determined to enter
the brotherhood, and to betake himself
to Forli, and to offer himself as chaplain
to the prioress, so that he might have
conveniency to see Saturnina, so ardently
did he burn with love of her. Having
settled to do this thing, he put in order
all his affairs, and became a friar, and

x PROEM.

went to Forli. There he contrived, by
enlisting with much skill the assistance
of some personage of weight, to become
chaplain to the monastery. He bore
himself with so much prudence and wis-
dom that, in a short time, he gained the
goodwill of the prioress and of all the
other sisters, but chiefly he won the fa-
vour of Saturnina, whom he loved more
than his life.

Now it happened that while the said
Brother Auretto gazed in honest love at
Sister Saturnina, and she at him, Love,
whose lesson is soon learnt by gentle
hearts, bound these two together in such
wise that at first they would greet each
other from a distance with smiles. Then,
following the course of love, they fre-
quently took one another by the hand,
and spake together, and wrote numerous
letters, their love waxing so rapidly that
they planned to meet each other at a
certain hour in the convent parlour, a
place which was secluded and little fre-
quented. When they had once met and

PROEM. xi

held converse there, they settled to come
thither once every day, so that they
might talk there at their ease. And
they made a rule that each one should
tell a new story every day for recreation
and delight, which thing was duly
brought to pass."

Gbe first

first

NOVEL I.

<£algano is enamoureo of iHaoouna fHi'naccta,
foife of iiHesser Stu'cca. S>rje is not mtnfceo
to listen to rjim ; but, pairing fjeart fjer rjus=
bano gpeak great praise of C?algana, slje tt-
solbes to be cruel to rjim no longer. JEfje
atoro of trje bt'rtuoug resolution taken b0
©algano, at trje moment to^en Ije iuaa about
to cnjog ^er.

I HEN the two lovers afore-
said had duly planned how
they might meet for con-
verse, as it has already been
recorded, and when the appointed hour
had come, they found themselves face to
face, and sat down together with the ut-
most joy and delight. Then Frate Au-
retto began to speak in this wise, " My

4 THE FIRST DAY.

Saturnina, I am fain to tell you a story
of something which came to pass in the
city of Siena, concerning a certain lady
and a gentleman who was enamoured of
her.

In Siena there lived a youth named
Galgano, wealthy, nobly born, sprightly,
and well skilled in all fitting exercises,
valiant, brave, high-minded and ever
courteously disposed towards people of
all sorts. Now this Galgano fell in love
with a lady of Siena whose name was
Madonna Minoccia, the wife of a certain
Messer Stricca, and on this account he
was wont always to go clad in his lady's
colours, and to carry her device, arming
himself, and jousting, and giving rich
banquets for love of her ; but for all this
Madonna Minoccia would not listen to
him, and Galgano was brought to such a
pass that he knew not what to say or do,
seeing how cruel was the humour which
ruled the heart of this lady, whose wel-
fare he held dearer than his own. He
sought her at every merrymaking and

THE FIRST NOYEL. 5

wedding in the city, and he was ill pleased
with any day which might pass without
letting him behold her. Many a time
he sent to her messages and gifts, but she
took no heed of these, and became more
and more cruel every time he addressed
her.

Thus the lover remained some time
inflamed with the love and devotion he
had for her, and often he would cry out
in passionate torments, and say, ' Ah,
Love my Lord, canst thou let me love
in this wise without winning aught in
return ? Canst thou not see that this
is contrary to all thy laws ? ' And thus
many and many a time, as he considered
how great was the cruelty of the lady,
he was fain to despair. But like a dis-
creet wooer he resolved to submit to
this yoke as long as Love should will,
always hoping the while to find grace in
his lady's sight, and striving, both by
word and deed, to let ensue all such
things as might best please her, but she
remained quite inflexible. Now one day

6 THE FIRST DAY.

it happened that Messer Stricca and his
fair lady were at their country house near
to Siena, when by chance Galgano went
by with a sparrowhawk upon his fist,
making believe to be going fowling. But
he was in sooth bent on naught else than
to get sight of the lady, wherefore he
passed close by the house where she
abode. Messer Strica beheld him, and
straightway knew who he was, and, hav-
ing gone to meet him, grasped him by
the hand in familiar wise, and begged
him to be pleased to take his supper
with Madonna Minoccia and himself.
But Galgano after thanking him said, f I
am exceedingly grateful, but I must beg
you to hold me excused, forasmuch as I
am going to a certain place on business of
of great weight. ' Then said Stricca, ' Take
at least a draught with us,' whereto the
young man replied, f I thank you much,
and God be with you, but I am in haste.'
Then Messer Stricca, seeing what mood
he was in, let him pass on and went back
into the house.

THE FIRST NOVEL. f

Galgano, as soon as he had parted
from Messer Stricca, said to himself,
* Ah, woe is me ! why did I not do his
bidding ? then at least I should have
seen her who has my good will beyond
any other in all the world.' And while
he thus pondered, a magpie rose near
him, whereupon he let go his hawk,
which pursued the pie into Messer
Stricca's garden, and there seized it.
Messer Stricca and his wife, when they
beheld the hawk, ran to the window, and
the lady, remarking the fierceness with
which the hawk attacked the pie, asked
her husband to whom it belonged.
Messer Stricca answered, c This hawk is
fortunate in resembling its owner, for
he is the most valiant young gentleman
in all Siena, and the most accomplished.'
The lady asked what his name might
be, and her husband answered, c This
hawk belongs to Galgano, who went by
lately. I was fain he should stop and
sup with us, but he would not. He is
in sooth the most gracious and worthy

8 THE FIRST DAY.

young man I have ever seen.' Then
they went to their supper, and Galgano,
having lured back his hawk, departed.
The lady meantime took note of all
that had been said, and kept it in mind.
It happened that a few days later
Messer Stricca was sent by the commune
of Siena on a mission to Perugia, and
left his lady alone. She, as soon as
her husband had ridden off, sent a maid
who was in her confidence to Galgano,
with a message begging him to come to
her, forasmuch as she was fain to have
speech with him ; and, as soon as the
message was delivered, Galgano replied
that he would assuredly do her bidding.
He, knowing that Messer Stricca had
gone to Perugia, set forth at a befitting
hour in the evening towards the dwelling
of her whom he loved as he loved his
own eyes. When he was come into the
lady's presence, he greeted her with deep
reverence ; whereupon she took him by
the hand in sportive guise, and embraced
him, saying, f In sooth, my Galgano is

THE FIRST NOYEL. 9

a hundred times welcome, and without
farther discourse they gave one another
loving greeting, over and over again.
Then the lady bade them bring wine
and sweetmeats ; and, after they had
partaken of the same in company, she
took him by the hand and said, f My
Galgano, it is time to go to rest, where-
fore let us go to bed.' To this Gal-
gano answered and said, £ Madonna, I
am altogether at your service.' And
when they had entered the bedchamber,
after much and delightful conversation,
the lady undressed herself and got into
bed, and said to Galgano, ' It seems to
me that you are somewhat abashed and
fearful. What is the reason of this ?
am I not to your liking ? are you dis-
pleased with aught ? have you not got
all you desire ? ' Galgano answered,
t Ah yes, madonna. Indeed, God could
give me no greater boon than to let me
find myself in your arms.' And as they
went on talking over this happy event,
he undressed himself, and got into the

10 THE FIRST DAY.

bed beside her for whom he had longed
so ardently these many months.

Now, as he lay down beside her, he
said, c Madonna, there is one favour I
have to beg of you, with your good
pleasure.' The lady made answer, 'Ask
what you will, my Galgano, but I would
that you should first embrace me ; ' and
this Galgano did, and went on to say,
' Madonna, I wonder greatly what led
you to send for me this evening, rather
than at any other time during all the
months I have desired and followed
you, you meantime having denied me
both words and glances. What has
moved you at last ? ' The lady said, 1 1
will tell you. You know that a few
days agone you passed hereby with your
hawk, and when my husband saw you
he was fain that you should sup with
us, but you refused. Then your hawk
flew at a magpie, and I, seeing how
bravely it clutched its quarry, asked my
husband as to whom it belonged. He
replied that its owner was the most

THE FIRST NOISEL. 1 1

worthy gentleman in Siena, and that his
hawk was well matched with him ; saying
likewise that he had never beheld any-
one so accomplished as you are. He
praised you to me so highly that I, hear-
ing you lauded thus, and knowing what
kind feeling you had towards me, deter-
mined to send for you, and to be no
longer cruel to you. This is the reason
for what I have done.' Galgano inquired
if this were really the truth, and the lady
replied that it was. t But was there no
other reason ? ' he said ; whereto she
answered that there was indeed no other.
Then said Galgano, * It cannot be God's
pleasure or will that, after your husband
has used so great courtesy to me, I
should put such disgrace upon him.'
Whereupon he sprang out of bed at
once, and, having dressed himself, bade
farewell to the lady and went his way,
nor did he ever again cast eyes upon
her with such intent, and always bore
himself towards Messer Stricca with
peculiar love and reverence."

12 THE FIRST DAY.

NOVEL II.

Bucn'oto anto $tetro go to stuog at Bologna.
Bucdclo, fjaiu'no; Been licensed to practise tfje
lain, resolbes to return to Borne feu'tijaut fjts
fneno,Dut afterrnartos settles to toattfor fjim.
fHeanttme fje asfeg tfje master fofjo fjas taugfjt
ijttn toljat fe tfje rtgfjt Iriag to make lobe. 2Efje
gootj fortune tofjiclj fiefell ^tm tfjereanent, anil
tfje ebt'l ease of t^e master.

HEN the novel was finished
Saturnina began and said,
" This tale indeed pleased me
greatly when I learned the
constancy of this gentleman at the mo-
ment when he held in his arms her
whom he had desired for so long a time.
If I had been in his place, I know not
what I should have done. And now I
will tell you a story which I believe you
will find diverting," and she began in
these words :

"In the family of the Savelli at Rome
there were at a certain time two young

THE SECOND NOYEL. 13

men who were close friends and com-
panions, one of whom was called Buc-
ciolo and the other Pietro Paolo. They
were well-born and plentifully supplied
with the world's goods, and it chanced
that they were both of them seized with
the desire to go and study at Bologna,
the one intending to study civil and the
other statutory law. Wherefore, having
bidden their kinsfolk farewell, they took
their way to Bologna ; and, when they
arrived there, they set themselves to study
the laws as they had settled, and kept
diligently at their learning for some time.
Now it must be well known to you that
the statute law is far less in volume than
the other branch, and on this account
Bucciolo, who had engaged himself with
the first named, mastered his work much
more rapidly than did Pietro Paolo, and,
as soon as he had graduated, he made
up his mind to go back to Rome. One
day he said to Pietro Paolo, ' Comrade,
since I have now graduated I have re-
solved to return home.' Whereupon

14 THE FIRST DAY

Pietro Paolo answered him and said, ' I
beg you that you will not leave me here
alone, but that you make it your pleas-
ure to tarry with me here during the
winter, and when the spring shall have
come we will return home together. You
might occupy yourself meanwhile by
studying some new science, so as not to
waste your time.'

Bucciolo was content to follow his
friend's suggestion, and promised to wait
for him, and it came to pass that to avoid
loss of time he went to his master and
said, c I have made up my mind to await
here until my friend and kinsman shall
be ready to depart ; wherefore I beg you
that you will vouchsafe to teach me mean-
while some seemly science or other.' To
him the master replied that he would do
this with pleasure, and added, 'And now
you must make choice of whatever sci-
ence you wish to learn, and I will will-
ingly teach you the same.' Then said
Bucciolo, ' My master, I would fain learn
how to make love, and how to set about

THE SECOND NO1/EL. 15

such work.' The master could scarce
keep from laughing as he listened, and
said, ' In sooth your choice pleases me
well, for you could not possibly have
fixed upon any other science which would
have given me so much delight. Now
on Sunday morning I would have you
go to the church of the Friars Minor,
where you will be sure to find all the
ladies of the city gathered together, and
then consider well in your mind whether
you may not espy there some one or
other who pleases your fancy. When
you have found such an one, follow her
up, and do not lose sight of her till you
shall -have discovered where she lives.
Then come back to me. This is the first
part of the science that I would have you
learn.'

Whereupon Bucciolo went his way,
and on the following Sunday morning
he betook himself, as his master had di-
rected him, to the church of the Friars ;
and, having cast his eyes round upon
the assembled ladies, of whom there

1 6 THE FIRST DAY._

were a great number, he espied amongst
them one who pleased him mightily, for-
asmuch as she was exceedingly fair and
graceful. When the women went out
of the church, Bucciolo followed after
this lady, and saw and noted the house
where she lived. She, when she observed
his doings, was well advised that this
scholar was beginning to be enamoured
of her. Then Bucciolo went back to
the master and said, ' I have not failed
to do the thing you directed me to do,
and indeed I have seen a lady who
pleases my taste exactly.' When he
heard this the master was hugely de-
lighted, and fell to bantering Bucciolo
somewhat with regard to the particular
science he was so full of desire to learn,
and spake to him thus : { Now see that
you fail not to pass by her house twice
or thrice every day with modest and
seemly carriage, and be sure to keep your
eyes well within bounds, and do not let
it appear as if you were looking at her ;
but take as much pleasure as you can

THE SECOND NO^EL. If

from the sight of her, so that she, observ-
ing this, may be fully assured that you
are her well-wisher. When you have
done this, come back to me, for this is
the second part of your lesson/

Bucciolo went at once from the mas-
ter's presence and forthwith began to
walk up and down in front of the lady's
house in discreet fashion, so that she
doubted not that he had come thither
for her sake. On this account, after a
short time had passed, she would cast
now and then a glance at him ; where-
upon Bucciolo gave her a modest salute,
a courtesy which she returned again and
again. - Thus Bucciolo deemed that the
lady was indeed enamoured of him. He
took an account of all that had passed
back to the master, who answered and
said to him, ' What you have done
pleases me much, and I am quite con-
tented. You have learned your lesson
well up to this point, but now it will be
necessary for you to find some means of
getting one or other of those women

1 8 THE FIRST DAY.

who are wont to go about Bologna sell-
ing veils and satchels and such things,
to speak to her, and then you must send
word to the lady, and tell her that you
are her servant, and that there is no one
in all the world who possesses your good-
will so completely as she does, and that
you are ready to do anything to give her
pleasure which she may demand. Then
you will see whether she may have aught
to say to you, and whatever her answer
may be, you must come and give me
information thereof, and according to its
terms I will let you know what it be-
hoves you to do next.'

Bucciolo took his leave, and managed
to find a pedlar-woman who was well
fitted to discharge an office of this sort,
and said to her, f I desire greatly that
you should do me a most pressing ser-
vice, one for which I will pay you libe-
rally, so that you shall be well satisfied.'
The woman made answer, f I will do
for you whatever you may ask of me,
for I come here for no other reason than

THE SECOND NOYEL. 19

to earn an honest penny.' Thereupon
Bucciolo gave her two florins, and said
to her, f I wish you to go this day into
a street which is called La Mascarella,
where there lives a young gentlewoman
whose name is Madonna Giovanna, a
lady whom I love more than any other
in the world. I want you to commend
me to her, and furthermore to tell her
that I am ready to do anything that
may be her pleasure. Be sure to tell
her all this in those soft words which
you assuredly know so well how to use.'
Then said the old woman, c Leave all
this business to me, and I will find a
fitting time for the discharge thereof.'
Bucciolo replied, c Go about it at once,
and I will await you here.'

The pedlar-woman straightway de-
parted, taking with her a basket of her
wares; and, having gone to the house
of the lady aforesaid, she found her
seated in her doorway. After she had
given the lady salutation, she said, f Ma-
donna, is there amongst these wares of

20 THE FIRST DAY.

mine anything which it would please you
to possess ? Should there be any, take
it without hesitation, if so be it will give
you pleasure.' And with these words
she sat down by the lady's side and be-
gan to show her the veils, and the satch-
els, and the ribbons, and the mirrors,
and all the other things she had to sell.
When she had looked at many of the
old woman's wares, she came upon a
satchel there which pleased her greatly ;
whereupon she said, ' In sooth, if I had
money therefor, I would willingly buy
from you this satchel.' The woman
said, f Madonna, there is no need for you
to trouble yourself on that score. If
there should be anything here which
pleases you, take it at once, for all these
wares are paid for already.' The lady
was mightily astonished when she heard
these words, and at seeing how great
were the blandishments which the old
woman used upon her, so she said, f My
good woman, what do you mean by
speaking such words as these to me ? '

THE SECOND NOVEL. 21

Whereupon the pedlar-woman, almost
ready to shed tears, said, 1 1 will tell you
all about the matter. The truth is,
that there is a young gentleman whose
name is Bucciolo, and he it is who has
sent me to you. He loves you well,
and nourishes for you greater kindness
than for anyone else in the world ; nay,
there is not anything lying within his
powers which he would not do for your
sake. He protested to me indeed that
God could show him no greater favour
than to make you command him to do
some service on your behalf. In truth,
it seems to me that he is wasting away,
so great- is his desire to have speech with
you, and, besides this, I do not think
that I ever saw a more worthy and up-
right youth than he is.' The lady,
when she heard these words, blushed
the colour of scarlet, and, turning to the
pedlar-woman, spake thus, ' If it were
not that I feel obliged to spare you for
the sake of my honour, I would handle
you in a fashion that would make you

22 THE FIRST DAY.

lament the day you ventured to address
me in such wise. How, indeed ! are
you not ashamed, profligate old wretch
as you are, to come with such discourse
to an honest woman ? May God vex
you therefor ! ' And with these words
the young lady caught up the crossbar
of the door, in the mind to lay it over
the old woman's back, crying out the
while, ' If you ever dare to come back
here, I will belabour you in such fashion
that you will never be able to show
yourself again.'

Upon this the old woman gathered
together her wares with all possible speed
and hurried away as fast as she could go,
for she was in great dread lest she should
be made to feel the weight of that cross-
bar, and she felt herself in no way safe
until she had returned to the place where
she had left Bucciolo. As soon as Buc-
ciolo saw her he asked her what news
she had to tell him, and how the affair
was progressing ; whereupon she an-
swered and said, ' It is going on very

THE SECOND NOYEL. 23

badly, for indeed I never felt so great
fear in all my life, and the upshot of the
matter is that the young woman will
neither see you nor listen to your mes-
sages. And if I had not chanced to get
me quickly out of her reach, I should
surely have been made to taste the qual-
ity of a heavy crossbar which she had in
her hand. As far as I am concerned,
I am in no mind to go back to her, and
I will advise you also to entangle your-
self no farther with her.' Bucciolo was
greatly perturbed and grieved at what
the old woman had to tell him, and went
straightway to the master, and let him
know all that had come to pass.

But the master gave him encourage-
ment and said, * Do not despair, Bucci-
olo, for the tree does not fall at the first
stroke. But be sure that you fail not to
pass by her house this evening, and then
you can note what sort of glance she
gives you, and see whether she appears
angered with you or not. Then come
back here to me and report what you

24 THE FIRST DAY.

have seen.' Thereupon Bucciolo betook
himself towards the house where his lady
dwelt, and she, as soon as she beheld
him approaching, called to one of her
maids and said to her, f Follow that
young man and tell him from me that
he is to come to my house to-night and
speak to me, and on no account to fail.'
The maid set out forthwith, and went
to Messer Bucciolo and said to him,
1 Messere, Madonna Giovanna has bid-
den me to ask you to come to her to-
night, as she wishes to speak to you.'
Bucciolo was much astonished when he
heard this, and answered her saying,
fTake word back to her from me and
tell her that I will gladly do her bid-
ding.' And he went straightway to the
master to let him know how the busi-
ness was going on.

The master was greatly astonished
at what he heard from Bucciolo, and
now indeed he began to suspect that
this lady might perchance prove to be
his own wife, as indeed she really was.

THE SECOND NOYEL. 2$

Wherefore he said to Bucciolo, ' Well,
and will you go to her as she asks ? '
and the young man answered that he
would assuredly go to meet the lady.
Then the master went on and said,
* When you go on your errand, see that
you pass by here on your way,' and
Bucciolo assured him that he would not
fail to do this, and departed. Now, as
it has already been noted, this young
woman was the master's wife, but of this
Bucciolo had no knowledge. Moreover,
the master had more than once been
seized with jealousy on her account ; for
during the winter it was his wont to
sleep at the schools, in order that he
might give instruction to the scholars
during the evening, while his wife was
left alone in the house with the maid.

Now the master said to himself, * It
is not at all to my taste that this youth
should become proficient in the science
of love-making at my cost ; therefore I
must find out how the matter stands.'
When Bucciolo came to him in the

26 THE FIRST DAY.

evening, and told him that he was now
on the way to his appointment, the
master said to him, ' Good, and be sure
that you bear yourself discreetly.' Buc-
ciolo answered that the master might
well leave this to him, and took his
departure.

Bucciolo had been careful to put a
stout cuirass upon his back, and to take
with him likewise a good knife and a
sword of proof, so he did not enter
upon this adventure like a fool. After
a few minutes had passed the master
followed upon the track of his pupil,
who, all unwitting that he was being
thus dogged, went up to the door of
the lady's house and knocked thereat.
She at once opened it to him, and he
went in. When the master saw that it
was indeed his wife who was engaged in
this business, he almost swooned, and
cried out, ' Now I see that this fellow
has learnt his lesson at my expense.'
Then he began to cast about in his
mind how he might take his vengeance

THE SECOND NOYEL 2J

by killing Bucciolo ; and, having hastily
gone back to the schools, he borrowed
a sword and a dagger, and then returned,
raging with anger, to his house with the
intention of working some injury to
Bucciolo. When he had come to the
door he began to knock at it like one in
great haste, and the lady, who was seated
at the fireside with her lover, was at once
seized with the fear that this must be
the master; wherefore she took Bucciolo
and concealed him straightway under a
heap of linen, recently washed and not
yet dry, which she had piled up on a
table under the window. Having done
this, she went to the door and demanded
who was there ; whereupon the master
called out, * Open the door and I will
soon let you know, wicked woman that
you are.' Whereupon his wife opened
the door to him at once ; and, marking
that he had a sword in his hand, cried
out, f Alas ! my lord, why t is the mean-
ing of this ? ' The master said, f You
know well enough what man it is you

28 THE FIRST DAY.

have in the house.' His wife replied,
c Woe is me ! What is this you are say-
ing? Are you out of your mind ? Search
everywhere for what you are seeking,
and if you find any man here, cut me in
pieces. Why should I begin now-a-days
to do what I have never thought of
doing hitherto ? Take care, my good
sir, lest the great enemy should make
you see certain things which may cause
you to lose your wits.' In spite of these
words the master made them kindle for
him a torch, and then he began to hunt
about amongst the casks in the cellar.
After this he went upstairs again and
searched every corner of the bedcham-
ber, and looked under the bed, thrust-
ing his sword through the straw mattress
and piercing it with holes in every part.
In short, he searched every hole and
corner of the house without having the
wit to find what he was seeking.

In the meantime his wife always kept
close to his side with the torch in her
hand, crying out from time to time,

A Lesson In Love

Hag

SECOND NOVEL

THE SECOND NOVEL. 29

'Good master, see that you cross your-
self, for of a surety the enemy of man-
kind must be tempting you, and stirring
up your imagination to perceive certain
things which could not possibly have any
existence ; for, if there was a single hair
on my body which thought to do the
things you speak of, I would kill my-
self outright. Therefore, I pray you,
for God's sake, not to suffer yourself to
be thus tempted.' On this account the
master, when he saw that there was
no one in the house, and listened to
what his wife had to say, was fain to be-
lieve that he had been deceived. Then,
after tarrying a short time longer, he put
out the torch and went back to the
schools. As soon as he was out of the
way Madonna Giovanna locked the door,
and made Bucciolo come forth from
under the heap of linen. After they
had kindled a big fire they made a good
supper off a fine fat capon, and drank
therewith wine of various sorts, and thus
they feasted most excellentl v well. Many

30 THE FIRST DAY.

times the lady said to the youth, 'See
now, my husband has no notion of what
we are doing/ And after they had
feasted with much jollity to their hearts'
content, the lady took Bucciolo by the
hand, and led him into the bedchamber,
where with merry sporting they went to
bed together, and all through that night
they took their fill of that pleasure which
they both desired, giving one another the
greatest delight over and over again.

When the night, for which they had
longed so ardently, came to an end, the
day broke, and Bucciolo having got up
from the bed, said to the lady, c Ma-
donna, I must needs now take my leave;
have you any commands to lay upon
me?' Then the lady replied, ' Yes, I
desire that you should come to me again
to-night.' Bucciolo assured her that he
would not fail her in this, and when he
had taken leave of her he left the house
and made his way back to the schools,
and said to the master, f I have some-
what to tell you which will make you

THE SECOND NOYF.L. 51

laugh.' The master demanded to know
what this might be ; whereupon Bucci-
olo said to him, ' Last night, when I
was in the house of the lady I told you
of, lo and behold ! her husband came
all unexpectedly and searched the house
from top to bottom, but he could not
find me, forasmuch as his wife had hid-
den me away beneath a pile of linen
which had been washed and was not yet
dry. And to make a short story of it,
the lady knew so well how to cajole her
husband that she induced him to go
away. After this we took our supper
off a fat capon, and drank the most
delicate wines, and altogether spent the
night in the greatest feasting and jollity
you ever heard of, and thus we took our
diversion till the day broke. And be-
cause I slept scarcely at all last night, I
must now go and take a little rest, see-
ing that I have given her my promise
to go back to her this evening.' The
master said to him, 'See that .you let me
know when you are about to return to

32 THE FIRST DAY.

her.' Bucciolo said that he would wil-
lingly do this, and went away, leaving
the master so greatly inflamed with rage
that he could find no rest for his grief,
and was quite unable to do his teaching
in the schools, so sharply was his heart
vexed with indignation ; but, having
made a plan how he might catch Bucci-
olo when evening should have come,
he provided himself with a cuirass and
a helmet for the adventure.

When it was drawing towards even-
ing Bucciolo, who knew naught of these
preparations, went innocently to the
master, and said to him, 1 1 am now
going to the lady's house.' The mas-
ter answered him, f Go, and come back
here to-morrow morning, and let me
know how you have fared.' Bucciolo
said that he would not fail to do this,
and then went forthwith to the house
of Madonna Giovanna. As soon as he
was gone the master caught up his arms
and followed close behind him, almost
step for step, having planned to come

THE SECOND NOfEL. 33

up with him on the threshold. But the
lady, who was on the alert, opened the
door very quickly, and, having let in
her lover, she closed it again and turned
the key. The master followed the next
moment, and began to knock and make
a great uproar ; whereupon the lady im-
mediately put out the light and made
Bucciolo get behind her as she stood in
the passage. Then she opened the door,
and, embracing the master with one arm,
with the other she thrust Bucciolo forth
from the house in such wise that her
husband caught not a glimpse of him.
Then she began to scream aloud, * Help,
help ! 'for the master has gone mad,'
holding him tight in her arms mean-
while. The neighbours, when they heard
the noise and uproar she made, ran to-
gether to the house, and, seeing the mas-
ter there fully armed, and hearing the
outcry of the lady, who went on ex-
claiming, 'Hold him tight, for he has
lost his wits through too much study,'
they understood what was the matter,

34 THE FIRST DAY.

and believed that he was, indeed,, out
of his mind, and began to say to him,
' Now, good master, what is the mean-
ing of this ? Go to bed and rest, and
do not struggle any more.' Whereupon
the master cried out, * How should I go
to bed and rest myself when I know
that this wicked woman has a man in
the house ? I myself saw him enter ? '
Madonna Giovanna, when she heard
this, cried out, c Ah, what a wretched
life I have to lead ! Ask every one of
our neighbours here whether anybody
has ever heard of misconduct of mine.'
Then all the men and women there as-
sembled exclaimed, ' Master, you must
not harbour such thoughts, for there
was never born into the world a woman
0f better nature, or manners, or reputa-
tion, than your good wife here.' The
master said, ' How can this be, when I
myself saw a man enter the house, and
know quite well that he is still hiding
there ? ''

In the meantime the two brothers of

THE SECOND NOfEL. 35

the lady had joined the gathering ; and
she, when she saw them, burst into tears
immediately and said, c My brothers,
this husband of mine has gone mad, and
has dared to say that I have a man con-
cealed in this house. Moreover, he is
fain to kill me. Now you will know
well enough whether I have ever been
the sort of woman of whom such slan-
derous words might be spoken.' The
brothers cried out, ' We are indeed
amazed that you should call our sister
a lewd woman. Why should you hold
her to be one now, more than hereto-
fore, seeing that you have lived a long
time with her ? ' The master replied, ' I
can tell you naught else than that there
is a man in the house, and that I have
seen him with my own eyes/ Then
said the brothers, ' Well, come and let
us search for him, and if he is indeed
here we will advance this fact against
her, and cause her to be punished to
your full satisfaction.' Then one of the
brothers called to his sister and said,

36 THE FIRST DAY.

f Tell me all the truth. Have you any-
one hidden here in the house?' whereto
the lady answered, * Alas ! what are you
saying ? Christ defend me from this,
and let me die sooner than that a single
hair of me should think of doing such
wickedness. Alas, alas ! is it likely that
I should now set myself to do a thing
of which no one of our family was ever
accused ? Are you not ashamed even to
speak to me thereof?'

The brothers were well content with
what their sister said, and they, together
with the master, went forthwith to search
the house. The master flew straight to
the pile of linen, and began to run it
through and through with his sword,
fighting with it as if it had been Bucci-
olo himself, for he was well assured in
his mind that Bucciolo was hidden there-
under. Wherefore Madonna Giovanna
cried out: 'Did I not tell you that he
was out of his mind? You fool, to go
and spoil all this good linen. It is easy
to see that you never span it.' When

THE SECOND NOVEL. 37

they saw this the brothers were well as-
sured that the master had gone mad,
and after they had searched every place
closely without rinding anyone, one of
them said, 'This man is indeed mad,'
and the other cried out, ' By my faith,
O master, you are guilty of a foul wrong
when you try to make out that this sister
of ours is a lewd woman.' Whereupon
the master, who was mightily incensed,
and was quite well assured in his own
mind as to what had really happened,
now broke out into a terrible passion
against the brothers, and threatened them
with the naked sword he held in his
hand ; whereupon each of the brothers
caught up a stout stick and gave the
master so sound a drubbing therewith
that both of the sticks were broken over
his back. Next they tied him up as
a madman, saying that he had lost his
wits through overmuch study, and all
that night they remained in their sister's
house.

On the following morning they sent

3'8 THE FIRST DAY.

for a doctor, who caused a bed to be
prepared for the master close to the fire,
and gave orders that he should not be
suffered to hold converse with anyone ;
that, when he should speak, no answer
should be returned to him, and that he
should be kept on very strict diet until
his wits should be sharpened once more.
And all these directions were carried out
to the full.

The news how the master had gone
mad was soon spread all through Bo-
logna ; whereupon all those who heard it
grieved amain, saying one to the other,
' Of a certainty I suspected something
of this sort yesterday, for the reason that
he was quite unable to deliver his lec-
ture.' And another one said, * I too re-
marked that he was mightily changed.'
So that on this account men went about
saying that the master had gone mad,
and divers of his acquaintance went in
company to pay him a visit. Bucciolo,
who knew naught of what had happened,
went to the schools brimful with delight

THE SECOND NOfEL 39

to tell the master how he had fared last
night, but when he arrived there he was
told how the master had suddenly lost
his wits. Bucciolo was greatly aston-
ished at this, and found it almost incred-
ible, and he went with the others to visit
the sick man.

But when he came to the master's
house he was seized with the greatest
astonishment, and was ready to faint
when he perceived how the case really
stood; still, in order to let no suspicions
get abroad, he went in with the rest, and
when he entered the room he saw the
master, all battered and bound with a
rope, tying on the bed near the fire. All
the scholars who were there went and
condoled with him, saying how much
grieved they were for what had hap-
pened. And Bucciolo felt that he must
needs go and speak a word also ; where-
for he drew near to him and said, * My
master, I am as sorely grieved for you
as if you were my own father, and, if
there be aught that I can do on your

40 THE FIRST DAY.

behalf, do not fail to regard me as your
own son.' The master answered and
said, f Bucciolo, Bucciolo, go your way
in God's name, for you have learnt your
task only too well, and learnt it, more-
over, at my expense.' Madonna Gio-
vanna, when she heard this, cried out,
f Take no heed of his words, for he raves
and knows not what he is talking of.'
Then Bucciolo took his leave and re-
turned to Pietro Paolo, and said to him,
c My brother, I would have you stay
here in Bologna, and finish your studies
alone, in God's name. I, in sooth, have
learnt so much that I am not minded
to learn anything more.' And thus he
went his way and returned to Rome,
good luck attending him."

As soon as the novel was finished,
Frate Auretto said, " My Saturnina, I
have assuredly never listened to a better
tale than this. Bucciolo certainly got
his learning finely at the cost of his mas-
ter. Now I am going to sing you a
canzonet which a youth once upon a

THE SECOND NOYEL. 4!

time made in honour of his mistress,
whom he loved better than his own life,
when he chanced to see her clad in a
tunic, with a bow in her hand." And
thus he sang :

Lifting my eyes a maiden fair I spied,
With bow in hand and arrows by her side,

While meseemed her dainty weed,

Angel's colour white and fine.
Face and bosom, flowers indeed,

Bright as roses newborn shine.

I picture thus this lovesome damsel mine,
Whose clear and lucent eyes the golden stars outvied.

With Love's aid her bow she bent,
And those arms so soft and white

To my heart an arrow sent ;
Faint I lay in woeful plight.
Of her my fancy tires not, and my sight
To gaze upon this radiant star is satisfied.

When first I saw her beauteous face

Whose slave I am by Love's decree,
With her divine and merry grace
She smiled and greeted courteously;
I gave her back her smile forthwith, and she
Caught up her bow and lodged an arrow in my side.

42 THE FIRS! DAY.

Her laugh Jg eyes are like a bow,

Wherefrom those gilded darts are .ped

More keen than those her hand doth throw.
Bear witness ye whose hearts have bled,
Ye upon whom her darts of proof are shed,
Which deepest in the life their barbs malignant hide.

Then with a sweet and amorous sign
My angel took farewell of me,

And gazing on this flower divine,
I cried, " Now go, and happy be,
For in thyself that sweet of love I see,
Excelling all, with thine own courtesy beautified."

As soon as the song was finished the
two lovers clasped each other by the
hand in joy and gladness, expressing
mutual gratitude for the pleasure and
delight they had experienced in their
conversation, and after some further dis-
course together they said farewell and
departed.

Secono

Seconfc

NOVEL I.

;fBJationna Corsfna of Waples gcntjg fjet son to
stitog at Bologna, foljete fje falte sick anfc
"hies, ©f a tjc&tce of fjts contrtbeo so t^at
fjts tnotfjer mag not 6e o&er=grteoeli at ^fs

HEN the two lovers met in
the parlour on the second day
they greeted each other with
eager longing, and then the
fair Saturnina began to address Auretto
in these words, and thus told her story :
" I am minded to tell you a tale of
what happened at Naples to a widow
lady and to her son, whom she had sent
to study at Bologna. This lady lived
in Naples, and was called by name Ma-
donna Corsina. She was a native of
45

46 THE SECOND DAY.

Capua, and was the wife of a goodly
gentleman, one Messer Ramondo del
Balzo, who, by the will of God, died
and left her a widow and the mother of
one son. This boy was named Carlo,
and in his speech and actions he greatly
resembled Messer Ramondo his father;
wherefore his mother, who desired naught
but his welfare, bethought her to send
him to study at Bologna, in order that
he might grow up a man of parts, which
plan she duly carried out. She engaged
for him a tutor, and provided him with
books and with all that he needed, and,
having commended him to God, sent
him to Bologna, where she let him abide
several years, and gave him whatsoever
he might require.

The young man made the best use of
his time at Bologna, and in a very short
time became a capable scholar, so much
so that he won the goodwill of all the
students of the place on account of the
excellent qualities he possessed and of
the seemly and magnanimous life he

THE FIRST NOVEL. 47

lived. Now it came to pass, when this
youth had grown to man's estate, and
had graduated in the law, and had got
in order all his affairs for his return to
Naples, he fell ill and like to die, where-
upon all the physicians of Bologna came
to him to try to cure him and save his
life, but this they could not compass.
Whereupon Carlo, when he perceived
that he was beyond cure, spake in this
wise to himself: ' I am not perturbed,
nor do I make this plaint so much for
my own sake, as for the sake of my
disconsolate mother, who has no other
child but me, and has expended all that
she" has in the world in the expectation
that I should be the solace of her life ;
nay, indeed, she may have dreamt of
forming some powerful family connec-
tion through my marriage, and have
hoped that I should be the one to restore
the fortunes of our house. And when
she shall hear that I am dead, and that
she may never see me more, of a truth
she will die a thousand deaths.' Thus

48 THE SECOND DAY.

he grieved more for his mother than for
himself; and, as he let these thoughts
pass through his mind, he pondered over
what he should do in order to lessen
his mother's grief; wherefore he wrote
to her in these words : ( My dearest
mother, I beg that you will send me a
shirt sewn by the hand of that Neapoli-
tan lady who is the merriest and the fair-
est and the least molested by care.' This
letter came duly to the mother's hand ;
and, as soon as she had read it, she set
forth to search and inquire for some lady
who was unvexed by care — a difficult
task in sooth, but one which she was
anxious to compass so as to serve her
son. At last, after seeking diligently,
she found a certain lady who seemed to
her more beautiful and merry than any
other in the city ; moreover, she bore
herself like one unvexed by any care or
trouble whatsoever. Whereupon Ma-
donna Corsina betook herself in friendly
wise to the house of this young lady,
who graciously bade her enter, and told

THE FIRST NOVEL. 49

her that she was a thousand times wel-
come. Then Madonna Corsina spake
and said, * I wonder if perchance you
can divine wherefore I have come to
you ; it is, forsooth, because I think of
you as the merriest woman in Naples,
and the one least vexed with care and
trouble. On this account I want you
to do me a great service, to wit, that
you will sew for me with your own
hands a shirt which I may send to my
son, who has begged me for a gift of
the same.' Then said the young woman,
1 You say that you have taken note of
me, and esteemed me to be the happiest
woman m Naples? ' To this Madonna
Corsina assented; whereupon the young
woman went on, c I will now show you
that it is quite otherwise with me, and
that a more unhappy woman, or one
with more sorrows and troubles, does
not live on the face of the earth. To
be assured that what I say is the truth,
come with me now.' And having thus
spoken, she took Madonna Corsina and

50 THE SECOND DAY.

led her into an outward chamber, where
she pointed out the body of a young
man hung up by the neck from the cross-
beam. Madonna Corsina, as soon as
she beheld this, cried out, ( Alas ! what
means this ? ' and the young woman,
sighing deeply, said, c Madonna, this
was a young man of great worth who
was enamoured of me, but one day he
was discovered by my husband, who
straightway hanged him up here, as you
now see him ; and, in order to render
me the more wretched, he makes me
look upon this corpse every morn and
every eve. I needs must see him, and
you may judge how sharp a grief it is
to be thus forced to behold him every
morning and every evening. But if, in
spite of all this, you are still minded
that I should sew a shirt for you, I will
willingly do the same, but I cannot do
it as the happiest of women ; nay, rather
I am the most wretched woman there
is or ever was in the world.'

Madonna Corsina, when she heard

THE FIRST NOYEL. 51

this, was greatly astonished, and said,
c Of a truth, I see there is no one who
is free from toil and tribulation, and those
who are merriest in seeming are often
in the most evil case.' Then she took
leave of the young woman and returned
home, and wrote word to her son that
he must hold her excused, forasmuch
as she could not send him such a shirt
as he desired, because she could find
no woman who was not afflicted with
care and trouble as much as she could
bear. A few days later a letter came to
her, telling her that her son was dead ;
whereupon, being a wise woman, she
took thought and said, ' I see there is
no one in the world who is free from
sorrow. Even the Virgin Mary, who
was in sooth the woman of women, had
her share ; wherefore I will have patience,
seeing that I am not alone. May God
rest his soul, and not forget me ! ' In
this wise she recovered her peace of mind,
and spent her life in prosperity and good
fortune."

52 THE SECOND DAY.

NOVEL II.

33uonoelmonte falls in lobe feutfj Nicolosa, fofjo
fjao marrieo one of t^e family of &cciaiuoli,
foes of tfje Buonoelmonti, ano 6g tfje fjelp of
a serbino/bjotnan contribes to gain aomission
to fjer 6eo. 2Tfje nattatibe of bjfjat tfje laog
bio thereupon: fjoto peace feas restoreo be=
ttoeen tfje ttoa families, ano IjobJ tfje goung
man compasseo fjis bcnrjeance.

IHEN Saturnina had brought
her novel to an end, Frate Au-
retto began and spake thus :
" My Saturnina, I have found
your story to be a masterly piece of
work, and have got much pleasure there-
from in reflecting over the prudence of
this young man, who, by means of his
letter, kept his mother from dying of
grief. However, I will now go on and
tell you a tale which I think will please
you.

One time there lived in Florence
(where they live still) two noble fami-

THE SECOND NOVEL. 53

lies, one called Buondelmonti and the
other Acciaiuoli, who dwelt opposite to
one another in a street called Borgo
Santo Apostolo, each family being very
illustrious and ancient. It happened
that by a certain disagreement between
them they became mortal enemies, and
each party always went armed about the
streets, keeping sharp watch the one on
the other, and each one taking care to
be on guard. One of the Acciaiuoli was
married to a lady who was the proudest
beauty in all Florence, and was named
Nicolosa ; and a certain youth of the
Buondelmonti fell deeply in love with
her. -The lady could not move about
her bedchamber without being seen by
him from his own window, which was
opposite, and many a time he had sight
of her during the summer when she rose
naked from her bed. Now Buondel-
monte, being inflamed with love of her
and conscious of the enmity of her hus-
band, knew not what he should do, but
one day he determined to speak to the

54 THE SECOND DAY,

lady's waiting-woman ; and, observing
this woman going to market in the
morning, he called to her, and begged
her to do him a service. Then he took
from his purse six grossi, and said to
her, c Go and buy with this money what-
soever you will.' The maid, who was
mightily pleased with the money, took
it and replied, f What would you have
me do ? ' Buondelmonte answered, f I
would that you speak well of me to Ma-
donna Nicolosa, and tell her from me
that she is the sole joy of my life, and
that it behoves her to take pity upon
me.' The maid said, ' How can I ever
tell her such a thing ? You know that
her husband is your enemy.' Buondel-
monte went on, f Trouble not yourself
on this score ; only tell her what I have
told to you, and let me know what an-
swer she gives you.' Then the maid
answered she would do as he desired.

One day it chanced that the lady and
the waiting-woman were together at the
window, when the last-named let forth

THE SECOND NOYEL. 55

a deep sigh ; whereupon her mistress
asked her what ailed her. The maid
answered that it was naught ; but the
lady went on and said, ' I desire you to
tell me at once what is the matter with
you, for people do not sigh so deeply
without some cause.' The woman an-
swered, f Madonna, you must pardon
me, for I can never tell you.' ( I must
assuredly know,' said the lady, ( other-
wise I shall be wroth with you.' Then
said the woman, c Since you are so
keenly set to know, I will tell you. The
truth is, that the young Buondelmonte
who lives opposite has begged me, over
and over again, to carry a message to
you, but I have never found the cour-
age to do this thing.' The lady said,
f Well, and what did this wretch say to
you ? ' The maid replied, f He bade
me tell you that there is no one in the
world he holds in such kindly regard as
yourself, and that there is nothing he
would not do for your sake, so great
is the love he has for you. He begs,

56 THE SECOND DAY.

too, to be suffered to become your faith-
ful servant, for he will be under your
command alone, and declares that he
shall hold himself as most highly fa-
voured if he may only do somewhat
to give you pleasure.' To this the lady
answered, ' The next time he holds any
such discourse with you, see that you
give him a slap on the face, and come
no more to me with tales like this, for
you know well that he is my husband's
enemy.' The maid waited a little ; then
she went out and called Buondelmonte,
and said to him, c She will not hear of
you or of your doings.' Buondelmonte
answered, t Be not amazed at this. It
is what ladies always do the first time ;
but take care, the next chance that comes,
and when she is in good humour, that
you tell her this once more, and that I
am mad with love of her. Then I prom-
ise you that you shall have a smarter
gown than the one you are now wear-
ing.' The maid answered, f Let me alone
to do this.'

THE SECOND NOJ/EL. 57

One day, when Madonna Nicolosa
was about to go to a merry-making, and
her maid was helping her to dress, it
came to pass that they began to converse
on the same matter, and the lady said,
f Has this wretch had any more to say
to you ? ' The maid straightway fell to
weeping, and answered, £ I would that I
had died the hour and the day I came
to abide in this house.' The lady asked
her why, and the woman replied, c Be-
cause Buondelmonte has laid siege to
me, and I can neither stay at home nor
go abroad without rinding him hovering
about me, standing with his arms crossed,
and begging me to tell you how he is
pining and wasting away for your sake,
and how he is blessed indeed whenever
he hears you, or sees you, or listens to
others talking about you. In sooth, I
have never seen devotion greater than
his, and I, for my own part, know not
what more to say to you, except to pray
you in God's name to relieve me of this
trouble and grief; or to give me leave

58 THE SECOND DAY.

to depart and disappear from the world,
or to kill myself, so as to be rid of him ;
forasmuch as he knows so well how to
supplicate me, and speaks so delightfully
that I cannot think how anyone can say
him no. I wish greatly that it might
have been consistent with your honour
to have listened to him just once, so
that you might see whether I tell the
truth or no.' The lady asked, 'Is he
really so mad with love of me as you
say ? ' Whereto the maid answered that
he was lovesick a hundredfold more than
she had said. Then the lady went on,
'The next time you see him, tell him,
from me, to send me a gown of cloth like
that which his sister wore this morning
in church. And to this the maid an-
swered that she would do what the lady
desired.

Now, when Madonna Nicolosa had
gone out, the maid went to Buondel-
monte and told him all her mistress had
said. 'Wherefore,' she added, 'you
must keep your wits about you, and

THE SECOND NOYEL. 59

consider what you have to do.' Buon-
delmonte answered, 'Leave this for me
to do, and good luck go with you.' He
at once got him a fine gown of the stuff
the lady had asked for, and caused it to
be steeped and dressed; and, when it
seemed to him due time, he gave a sign
to the maid and said, ' Carry this to the
lady whose servant I am, and tell her
that this cloth, and my soul and body,
are ever at her disposal.' The maid
made haste and bore it quickly to the
lady, saying, ' Buondelmonte declares
that this cloth, and his soul and body,
are ever at your commands.' The lady
took 'the cloth, and, having looked at
it, said, ' Now go and tell my Buondel-
monte I thank him hugely, and bid him
be in readiness to come to me whenever
I may send for him.' The woman has-
tened to Buondelmonte and gave him
the message, whereto he answered,' Tell
her that I am always ready to do her
pleasure.'

It happened that the lady — the better

60 THE SECOND DAY.

to carry out the design she had formed
— feigned to be ill, wherefore the physi-
cian was quickly fetched to see her. She
declared that she would fain have a room
on the ground floor, and her husband
at once made them get ready a couch in
a room there, which was furnished with
everything she required. When this was
done, she went to rest therein, together
with a chambermaid and her own wait-
ing-woman. Her husband every evening
when he came home would ask his wife
how she fared, and, after tarrying with
her for a short time, would retire to his
own room. Every morning and evening
the doctor paid his visit, and everything
necessary was always at hand. Now,
when the lady deemed that the time was
fitting, she sent word to Buondelmonte
bidding him come to her the following
night at nine o'clock; and to him it
seemed that this, hour was a thousand
years in coming. When it was time, he
went in careful wise and well prepared to
the door of the lady's house, and when

THE SECOND NOVEL. 6 1

he knocked thereat they opened to him,
and he went in. Thereupon the lady
took him by the hand and led him into
the room, and, having made him sit down
beside her, asked him how he fared.
Buondelmonte replied,' Madonna, I fare
well enough now that I have won your
goodwill.' The lady went on: 'My
Buondelmonte, I have kept my bed for
the past eight days, so that we might
the more privily come together. Now I
have let prepare a bath of sweet-smelling
herbs, in which I am minded that we
should bathe together; and this done,
we will go to bed.' Buondelmonte,when
he heard this, declared he was ready to
do anything which the lady might desire.
She next made him undress himself
and get into the bath, which was in a
corner of the room; that he should lie
down and cover himself within with a
linen sheet, and throw a serge cloth over
the whole, in order that no heat might
escape. When he had undressed and
got into the bath, the lady said, ' Now I

62 THE SECOND DAY.

will undress also and come to you.' Then
she took all Buondelmonte's clothes,
even his shoes, and put them in a cup-
board, and locked the door, and, having
put out the light, she threw herself upon
the bed, and began to cry aloud, l Help,
help ! ' and to raise a huge uproar.
Buondelmonte jumped out of the bath
straightway, and began to search for his
clothes without rinding them, and, be-
cause it was dark, he could not manage
to knock at the door ; wherefore, help-
less and knowing that he had been be-
fooled, he went back to the bath half
dead. By this time the whole house
was alarmed, and Acciaiuolo and his
servants caught up their arms, so that
all the household was ready prepared in
an instant. The lady's chamber was
filled with men and women, and well-
nigh everyone in that quarter of the
city armed himself on account of the
feud between these two families. Now
think what Buondelmonte must have
felt when he found himself thus stark

THE SECOND NO^EL. 63

naked in his enemy's house, and knew
that the room was full of his foes armed
to the teeth ! Wherefore he commended
his soul to God, and with his arms
crossed, he awaited his death. The
husband asked Nicolosa what ailed her,
and she answered, I was taken with a
sudden illness and vertigo and faintness,
so great that meseemeed my heart had
been turned round in my body.' The
husband replied somewhat angrily, c I
feared I should at least find you dead,
considering the noise you made.' There-
upon the women round about her be-
gan to rub her arms and her feet, while
some " brought hot cloths, and others
rose water; the men having left the
room. The husband said, ( This is a
sudden illness which has seized my wife,
though indeed she has been somewhat
ailing for many days past.' Soon after-
wards the crowd went away, the hus-
band going up to his room above to get
to bed, but several women remained to
bear the lady company.

64 THE SECOND DAY.

After a little time the lady feigned
that her distemper had passed away ;
whereupon she bade the women around
her good night, saying, * I should be
grieved if you were to pass a bad night
on my account.' So they departed,
leaving with her the chambermaid and
the waiting-woman. As soon as they
were gone she got up and bade them
bring a pair of clean sheets and make
the bed afresh ; and, when she deemed
the time had come, she dismissed the
maids, and then, having locked the door
and kindled a taper, she went to the
bath, where she found Buondelmonte
now little better than a dead man. She
spoke to him, but he said nothing; and
then she got into the bath beside him,
embracing him and saying, f My Buon-
delmonte, here am I, thy Nicolosa ; hast
thou not a word to say to me ? ' And
with these words she took hold of him,
and dragged him out of the bath, and
put him in the bed, and warmed him,
saying the while, ' I am thy Nicolosa,

Nicolosa Dragging Boundelmontcs
From the Bath

SECOND NOVEL

THE SECOND NOYEL. 65

whom thou hast so ardently desired to
have all this time ; now thou hast me
in thy power, and canst do with me as
thou wilt.' But he, poor rogue, was so
disabled with cold that he could not
even speak. After a little, however, he
recovered somewhat and said, ( Ma-
donna, be kind enough to give me
leave to depart.' Then the lady, see-
ing what mind he was in, arose, and,
having opened the closet, brought forth
all his clothes and accoutrements ; and
he, when he had dressed himself, bade
her farewell and said, c Madonna, may
God be good to you, I have had enough
this time.' And thus he departed to
his home, where he lay for more than a
month by reason of the fright he had
gotten.

But before long, through the chatter-
ing of the women, this story began to
be heard in the city without the names
of the actors therein : it was simply the
tale how a certain lady had put a flout
upon a lover of hers, and this became

66 THE SECOND DAY.

the gossip of all Florence. When
Buondelmonte heard it he many a time
feigned that it in no way concerned
him, and kept silent awaiting his time.
And it chanced after a while that peace
was restored between the two houses,
and they who were formerly foes be-
came friends and brethren, especially
Buondelmonte and Nicolosa's husband,
for night and day they kept company.
One morning Madonna Nicolosa called
her maid and said, * Go and tell Buon-
delmonte I marvel greatly that, now
there be opportunities in plenty, he
never sends a word to me.' The maid
went and spake thus ; f My lady is
greatly surprised that, now you have
the chance, you have naught to say to
her.' Buondelmonte answered, tell Ma-
donna Nicolosa that I was never so
much her slave as I am now, and if she
will come one evening and sleep with
me, I shall hold myself highly favoured
indeed.' The maid went back and bore
this message to the lady, who replied,

THE SECOND NOVEL. 67

c Tell him that I am ready to do as he
desires, but that he must hit upon a
scheme to make my husband sleep
abroad some night. Then I will come
to him.' The maid went back and told
this to Buondelmonte, who was greatly
pleased thereat, and said, ( Tell your
lady to leave the settlement of all this
to me, and that she had better not have
any hand therein.'

Buondelmonte forthwith contrived
that an invitation to supper should be
sent to Acciaiuolo from Camerata, a
place about a mile away from Florence,
and furthermore arranged with the giver
of the feast that the guest should be de-
tained for the night at the inn, and this
plan was duly carried out. Then, when
the lady's husband had gone out to
supper, she went to Buondelmonte's
house, as it had been agreed, and he
gave her very gracious welcome in a
room on the ground floor. Next, after
much chatting and diversion, Buondel-
monte said to the lady, ' I pray you get

68 THE SECOND DAY.

to bed ; ' whereupon she straightway un-
dressed herself and did as he directed.
Buondelmonte took all her clothes, and,
having opened a coffer, he put them
therein, and said to her, * I must go
upstairs now, but I will return anon.'
Whereupon the lady bade him go and
return quickly. He then departed and
locked the door behind him, and, when
he had taken off his clothes, he went to
bed with his wife, and left Nicolosa by
herself. The lady lay expecting Buon-
delmonte's return, and when he came
not she began to be afeared, remember-
ing the trick she had played him with
the bath, and said to herself, e Of a truth
he is minded to take vengeance upon
me.' In this plight she got up and
searched for her clothes, and, as she
could not find them, she became half
dead with terror. Then she went back
to bed, and in what a pass she found
herself everyone may well imagine.

When it was about half-past nine
Buondelmonte got up and went out of

THE SECOND NOVEL. 69

the house, and as he issued from the door
he beheld Acciaiuolo seated upon a nag,
bearing a hawk upon his fist, and just
coming back from Camerata. After they
had saluted one another Acciaiuolo took
Buondelmonte by the hand and said, * I
can tell you that we have had fine cheer
with capons and roasted quails galore,
and the best wine I ever drank. All
the evening we had you in mind, and
lamented that you could not come with
us to this feast, which certes you would
have enjoyed amain.' Buondelmonte
answered, 'And this last evening I have
had to sleep with me the fairest lady in
all Florence ; nay, I have her still in my
room. Never before have I tasted such
sweet delight.' Then said Acciaiuolo,
'I would fain see her;' and taking
Buondelmonte by the arm, he declared
that he would not go away until he
should have looked upon the lady.
Buondelmonte said, ' I will let you see
her willingly, but I desire that you speak
not to her in my house. Nevertheless,

70 THE SECOND DAY.

I will see that, if you are so minded, you
shall have her in your own house to-
morrow night, when you may take with
her whatsoever pleasure you list.' To
this the other agreed, and then they went
into the room where lay the lady, who,
as soon as she perceived that her hus-
band was there, almost fainted, saying to
herself, * I have verily fallen into a nice
trap, but 'tis what I deserve,' and she
gave herself up for dead. She meantime
had thrown herself upon the bed with-
out any great heed of decency, and
Buondelmonte and her husband came
anear with a lighted torch ; but first of
all Buondelmonte took hold of the bed-
clothes, and covered her face therewith,
in order that her husband might not
know who she was. Then he went to
the foot of the bed and began to uncover
her feet and legs, one standing on either
side of the bed. Buondelmonte said,
f Did you ever see legs so round and
pretty as these legs, which look as if
they were of ivory ? ' Then they went

THE SECOND NOYEL 71

on to uncover her bit by bit as far as
her bosom, where were her two little
breasts round and firm, the fairest sight
ever seen. When they had seen every-
thing there was to be seen up to her
bosom, and had let their eyes have free
course so as to assure themselves what
sweet pleasure might be had with such
a lady, Buondelmonte put out the light,
and, taking hold of Acciaiuolo, led him
forth from the room, having promised
him that he should have the lady with
him before night. Whereupon Accia-
iuolo said, c Of a surety I never espied
a lovelier creature than this one, or one
with- a skin so fair and white. Where
and how did you meet with her ? '
Buondelmonte answered, c Trouble not
your wits about how I got her;' and
thus talking they came to the loggia,
and joined a circle of other men who
were there, the talk being all about the
business of the town council. When
Buondelmonte saw that Acciaiuolo was
engaged in an argument thereanent, he

72 THE SECOND DAY.

hurried back to his room, and, having
opened the chest, he drew therefrom the
lady's clothes, and bade her dress her-
self, and beckoned to the maid to come
and accompany her home. He let her
out by a back door into an alley, so that
it might appear she was returning from
church, and she went back into her
house as if naught had happened. In
this fashion Buondelmonte took ven-
geance upon Madonna Nicolosa for the
trick she had played him, as I have
already told you."

When she had finished her story, Sa-
turnina said, " Which one of these two,
think you, was in the sorest terror ? "
The friar replied, " I reckon it was
Buondelmonte, for a double reason."
But Saturnina said, " By my faith, I be-
lieve that the lady was in the greatest
fear, because she came nearer than
Buondelmonte to be seen and recog-
nized ; but, let it be how it may, we
will judge thereanent some other time.
Now I will sing you a canzonet which,

THE SECOND NOYEL. 73

methinks, you will find to your lik-
ing.

One morning greeted me a maiden bright,
Sweet as an angel, as the ermine white.

Her tresses mocked the lion's tawny sheen,
Her eyes like eyes of falcon peregrine,
Stately as Juno's bird her walk and mien,
And lovelier than an angel in my sight.

For never had mine eyes beheld a thing
So fresh and fragrant ; like the birth of spring,
Like to the rose in splendour blossoming,
Richer than ruby, pearl, or chrysolite.

Like to a lily pure just gathered,
On cheek and breast such dainty grace is shed ;
With golden tresses wound about her head,
Lovelier then than flower in garden of delight.

When first my loving eyes on her were bent,
An arrowy glance into my heart she sent ;
Then she cried peace in wanton blandishment,
And I took leave with courtesy polite.

I listen to her words of kindly grace,
Upon her lips divine the charm I trace ;
Then she reveals the radiance of her face,
Sweeter than bovver with jasmine bloom bedight.

74 THE SECOND DAY.

Go, little song, to this dear star of mine !
What other maid can match her charm divine ?
And when my arms around her shall entwine,
Her lips shall give me hundredfold delight."

After the canzonet was duly sung, the
two lovers took each other by the hand
in a modest fashion, and brought their
delightsome converse to an end, for that
evening taking leave with words full of
courtesy. Then they went their several
ways, and retired to their lodging with
great content.

ZTbc

NOVEL I.

Bon placttio, a Florentine, trabelling to
gnon, fmos companionship at Xice in
bence foitf) a friar faf)o is also bounto to tfje
Pope's eourt. 13ut it transpires tfjat t|je
friar aforcsait) is reallg a latig of Uiterto,
tof)a is going to join a certain caroinal. ©f
tije gooti fortune fofyirf) befell Son
on dje roalj until ije came to Sbignon.

|HEN on the third day the
two lovers went back to their
accustomed meeting-place,
wherein they found such dear
delight, they were glad and gay beyond
measure, and Frate Auretto began and
spake thus : " My Saturnina, I am fain
to tell you a novel which I doubt not
will please you greatly, and this it is.

77

78 THE THIRD DAY.

In the Val di Pesa, a country district
of Florence, there lived in days past a
priest named Don Placido, who, on ac-
count of certain troubles which befell
him, determined to go to Avignon. He
betook himself in the first place to Pisa,
where he embarked and sailed as far as
Nice in Provence, and, having landed,
he took lodging in an inn kept by one
Bartolomeo da Siena. After he had
gone to bed, a worthy fellow, a servant
of the host, entered the room and said
to the priest, ' Messere, two friars have
come here to lodge, and one of them is
sorely ill ; wherefore, as there is a great
scarcity of priests in these parts owing
to the recent plague, I beg you to come
to him and see how he fares.' The
priest answered that he would go will-
ingly, and straightway donned his habit
and went to the friar's chamber. One
of the friars said to him, ' Messere, I
commend to your good offices this father,
my companion.' Whereupon the priest
sat down upon the bed and began to con-

THE FIRST NOYF.L. 79

fess the sick friar, and to remind him of
his soul's health, telling him and urging
him that it behoved him to make his
peace with God. But the good friar
seemed indisposed to listen to this coun-
sel, and in a short time died like one in
despair.

The other friar, who was the younger
of the two, when he saw that his com-
panion was dead, began to weep aloud.
The priest consoled him, begging him
to take comfort forasmuch as all men
were mortal ; and after a short time the
priest took his leave, and prepared to
return to his own chamber. The friar
said to him, ' Messere, I beseech you in
God's name not to forsake me, but to
find means to give burial to this dead
man, paying him all due honour,' and
with these words he took from his side
a purse in which were some thirty florins,
and went on, * Take this ; spend what is
needfal, and pay all charges.' The priest
took the purse, and, having called the
men and maidservants of the inn and

So THE THIRD DAY.

given drink money to each, he de-
spatched them to get in order all things
necessary for the burial, so that in the
morning everything was in readiness to
bury the friar in seemly fashion. When
the priest had paid all he went back to
the other friar, and comforted him, and
gave him back the purse with the resi-
due of the money. But the friar, weep-
ing the while, inquired of him whither
he was bound, and the priest replied
that he was going to Avignon. Then
the friar said, * I will gladly accompany
you ; ' whereupon the priest agreed, say-
ing, * I am ready and willing to have
your company, for it is better for each
of us to travel together than alone.' At
these words the friar raised his eyes and
seemed in better heart, and the priest,
when he had looked at his companion,
thought that he had never before seen
eyes so beautiful.

To make matters clear I must tell
you that this friar was indeed a certain
gentlewoman of Viterbo as you will

THE FIRST NOYEL. 8 1

hear later on ; but the priest took her
for a man, marvelling at the same time
at those beautiful eyes and that delicate
face. As soon as they had agreed to
travel in company the friar gave to the
priest fifty florins, and said to him, * De-
fray all expenses and pay the host what
is due ; ' which thing the priest did ac-
cordingly, and then, having mounted
their horses, they rode towards Avi-
gnon. The friar, so as not to be recog-
nized, concealed his face with his hat
and his cowl, and spake little, and always
rode behind ; wherefore the priest, deem-
ing that he did this out of grief for his
dead comrade, would now and again sing
a canzonet and say some jesting words,
so as to drive away these melancholy
humours ; but the friar still remained
silent and pensive, and hung his head.
Now one evening they arrived at a town
called Grasse, and dismounted at an inn
kept by a certain widow, whose daugh-
ter a short time before had likewise
lost her husband by death. This young

82 THE THIRD DAY.

woman was very gracious and fair to
look upon, and, when the travellers had
dismounted, she cast many a glance upon
the friar, and, marking how graceful and
comely was his seeming, she fell in love
with him and gazed upon him without
ceasing. The friar said to his compan-
ion, t Ask them for a room with two
beds in it,' and the hostess at once did
his bidding. The daughter of the hos-
tess cooked the supper with her own
hands, and did great honour to the
guests, talking the while continually with
the friar and offering him wine on divers
pretences as he sat at table. The priest
perceived what her fancy was, but he
dissembled and said to himself, ' In sooth
I do not wonder that she should have
lost her wits over this youth, for I have
not seen so pretty a fellow for many a
long day.' When supper was finished
the priest went out, so as to leave the
others more at their ease, pondering
whether this friar might not be the son
of some rich man or other, and bound

THE FIRST NOVEL. 83

for Avignon to seek preferment, seeing
that he had with him plenty of money.
When bedtime had come the priest
returned to the inn and said, * Messere,
shall we go to bed ? ' and the friar agreed ;
and when they had gone into the cham-
ber the daughter of the hostess sent by
the hand of one of the servants a box
of sweetmeats and some excellent wine.
The priest laughed and said, f Of a cer-
tainty you must have repeated the pater-
noster of San Giuliano this morning, for
you could not have found a better lodg-
ing or a fairer or more gracious hostess ; '
and he began to jest with the friar, who
laughed somewhat, and then they made
merry over the wine. The priest went
on, ' Certes, I will never again travel
hereby without tarrying at this inn ; but
it will behoove me always to have you
with me, for all this honour is done to
you, and not to me.' The friar replied,
1 In truth this young woman is pleasing
enough ; ' and the priest cried out,
' Would that she were going to sleep

84 THE THIRD DAY.

between us two to-night ! ' 'Alack ! what
is it you say ? ' said the friar ; whereupon
the priest replied, * Wait, and we shall
see.'

Meantime the young woman had hid-
den herself, for she was minded to see
in which bed the friar was going to sleep,
and she partly saw and heard what went
on between these two. With every word
he spoke she was more and more pleased
with the seemly manners of the friar,
and what time he delayed getting into
bed seemed to her a thousand years.
Of her spying the friar knew nothing,
and after further talk he got into one of
the beds and the priest into the other.
The young woman when she perceived
they were both asleep, lighted a candle
and went softly to the friar's bed, and
began to undress herself, and, this done,
she lay down beside him. The friar,
being aroused, raised his head at once
and saw it was the young woman ; where-
upon he quickly put out the light, and,
having caught up his cloak so as not to

THE FIRST NOVEL. 85

be recognized, he got into the priest's
bed and lay down on one side thereof.
The hostess's daughter was covered with
shame and stole out of the room ; but
the priest neither saw nor heard aught
of what had passed, and, having had his
first sleep, he felt a desire to turn over,
and in doing this he touched his bedfel-
low with his arm. He was mightily as-
tonished at this ; and when he stretched
out his hand and touched a bosom, he
knew that it was a woman in bed with
him, and made sure that it was the
daughter of the hostess, saying to him-
self, c This girl deems she has gone to
bed with the friar, but she has come to
me instead, and certes I will not fail
to give her that which she has come
a-seeking.' So he turned to her forth-
with, and twice gave her full satisfaction.
The friar did not move, and assuredly
was well content, while the priest went
to sleep again.

When it was near morning the priest
awoke, and called his bedfellow, saying,

86 THE THIRD DAY.

1 Ho there ! get up ; it is almost day ;
get up, so that your mother may not
know where you have been.' The girl,
when she beard what the priest said,
saw that he had not recognized her :
wherefore she sat up in the bed, and
broke out into the heartiest laughter,
and then began to dress herself. Having
drawn the cowl over her head, she stood
before the priest, who at once saw it was
the friar, and made the sign of the holy
cross. He wellnigh lost his wits for
joy when he beheld her twisting up her
hair, for her tresses were so fair and
bright that they shone like the sun ; and,
when they had dressed themselves, they
let saddle their horses, and called the
hostess and paid her what they owed.
Then the daughter of the hostess said
to the priest, * Messere, this companion
of yours is mightily unsociable.' The
priest answered, ( Ah, madonna, you do
not rightly know him. I for my part
maintain that I never had a more friendly
companion ; but he is not used to travel.'

THE FIRST NOVEL. 87

The young woman replied, * It indeed
seems so.' And then they took their
leave and set forth on their journey.
The disguised lady rode in advance, and
every time she turned round she per-
ceived the priest to be as if lost in
thought, for he was ever thinking over
what had happened, which seemed to
him a strange thing indeed. Where-
fore the friar waited for him, and said,
' Yesterday, Messere, it was I who went
with a thoughtful face, to-day it is your
turn. Now I desire that you think no
more of this matter ; and, to banish your
troublous thoughts, I will tell you who
I am, and whither I am bound. It is
indeed true that I am no friar, but a
woman, as you know full well. My
name is Petruccia, and I am the daughter
of Vannicello da Viterbo, who in dying
left me under the guardianship of my
two brothers. It came to pass that
when Pope Urban travelled through
those parts, he tarried, as you may have
heard, divers days at Viterbo, and during

88 THE THIRD DAY.

this visit a certain cardinal, whom you
will see hereafter, came by God's will to
lodge in our house, and became so
greatly enamoured of me, and pressed
me so hotly, that I yielded myself to
him. When the court moved on into
Provence, the cardinal took me with
him, keeping me always by his side, and
giving me very honourable treatment,
and loving me better than himself. But
when the pope went to Ponti di Sorga
my lover accompanied him, and left me
behind in Avignon, with two waiting-
women and an equerry. It was then
that one of my brothers, on his return
from San Jacopo, arrived in Avignon,
and began to search for me ; and one
Saturday morning, when I had gone to
hear mass in the church of Sant Asideri,
this brother of mine went thither like-
wise, taking with him an intimate friend.
When his eyes and mine met, he recog-
nized me, and having seized me, bore
me away forthwith down to the Rhone,
where he had got ready a boat for his own

THE FIRST NOVEL. 89

voyage. I was taken on boara this, and
we did not halt until we reached Aries.
Then we travelled by Marseilles, Nice,
Genoa, Leghorn, and Corneto, my
brother being minded many times during
the voyage to cast me into the sea, and
this, indeed, he would have done but
for his friend, who held him back. While
we were together on the boat this gen-
tleman became enamoured of me, and
asked me in marriage of my brother, who
readily gave consent, and I was willing
to take him as my husband. Having
come to Viterbo he made me his wife
with great rejoicing, and took me to his
house, but by the will of Fortune he
died a month later, and it is because of
his death that I went away ; for, he
being dead, I was forced to go back to
live with my brothers, and I abode with
them until lately in great weariness and
tribulation. My two sisters-in-law com-
pelled me to be their servant, and for
the slightest fault they reproved me,
and called me a lewd woman, wherefore

90 THE THIRD DAY.

I suffered greatly. One day, however,
I chanced to see pass a courier bound
for Avignon, and to him I gave a letter
addressed to Monsignore, in which I
set forth all that had befallen me, and
told him that if he wished to have me
back he had better send for me by some
person in whom I could trust. Where-
upon he sent the same friar who died at
Nice, a worthy man, to whom he prom-
ised to give the first bishopric which
might fall vacant, if I should be brought
safely to Avignon. The friar arrived at
Viterbo, and found occasion to speak
with me in the church of the Augus-
tinians, where he showed me a letter
under the cardinal's signature and other
testimonies, and then we determined
what course we should follow. After
our plans were set in order, my sister-
in-law and some other ladies and I
myself went one day to the baths of
Asinella, and when all my companions
had gone into the water, I made pre-
tence of going out for a little, and, this

THE FIRST NOISEL. 91

done, I withdrew quickly and went into a
wood, where the friar was awaiting me.
I stripped off my woman's garb, and
donned a habit such as friars wear. Then
we mounted our horses, which were ready
for us, and in about three hours we
came to Corneto, where the friar had let
prepare a brigantine, upon which we em-
barked forthwith, and sent back our
horses. The sailors put out to sea, and
we sailed on till we came to Nice in
Provence, the friar being afflicted so
sorely with sea-sickness that he died, as
you yourself saw — in sooth, he died
out of despair that he was unable to
take me to the lord cardinal. Now you
know who I am, and whither I am
bound ; wherefore let us have a care to
give ourselves a merry time on the road,
and cast all trouble to the winds.' And
so indeed it was, forasmuch as long as
they fared together they took all the joy
they were fain of, both at board and in
bed, singing and jesting and making the
long days seem short through the merri-

92 THE THIRD DAY.

ment of their life ; indeed, the love be-
tween them waxed so mightily that it
would be impossible to tell of all the
sport they had together, nor was there
ever known so genuine a comradeship
as theirs. And it chanced, when they
arrived at Avignon, that they dismount-
ed at an inn which stood hard by the
palace of the cardinal, and when night
was come the so-called friar said to the
priest, ( Say that you are my cousin, and
that you have come hither in my com-
pany, and leave the rest to me ; ' and the
priest did as he was directed. Then the
lady sent to the cardinal's palace for one
of the servants who was named Rubi-
netto, who, when he had come, straight-
way saw who the friar really was and
rejoiced greatly. Then he ran over to
the cardinal, saying, c Monsignore, Pe-
truccia has come back.' Whereupon the
cardinal was hugely pleased, and said,
( See that she be here when I return
from the court, and do not fail in this.'
The servant brought her woman's attire,

THE FIRST NOfEL. 93

and the priest helped to dress her in the
same, which ineed sat very jauntily upon
her. And though the priest had fallen
in love with her when he first beheld
her in the friar's habit, he found her a
thousandfold more lovable in woman's
weeds, and that evening they exchanged
a thousand kisses, shedding many tears
the while. And in due time the servant
came to fetch her, and led her away into
the chamber of the cardinal, who, as
soon as he returned, asked the servant
whether Petruccia was there, and when
he heard that she had come, he ran
straightway to the room, and kissed and
embraced her a hundred times.

Then she told him the whole adven-
ture, how her brother had taken her
away by force, and said, f For greater
safety I brought with me a cousin of
mine who is a priest, and he out of re-
gard for you has never left me, but has
brought me to you with no small
trouble/ The next morning the car-
dinal sent for the priest and thanked

94 THE THIRD DAY.

him, ana, having made him note down
all he had to ask, the cardinal granted
him every favour he could wish for ;
moreover, he gave the priest raiment,
and did him the greatest honour what
time he abode in Avignon. So great
was the love Petruccia had for the
priest, that she refrained not by night
or by day from commending him to
the cardinal, who came to hold him in
such high esteem that he promoted
him to a leading place in his house.
Now it happened that after a time the
priest got what he wanted from the
court of Avignon, wherefore he deter-
mined to return to his home, which
thing proved a cruel sorrow to Petruc-
cia, but when she saw he was minded
thereto she submitted. The day of his
departure she led him to her chest, in
which was a casket full of florins, and
bade him take as many of these as he
would. The priest replied, l My Pe-
truccia, it is enough for me that I bear
away with me your goodwill ; that is all

THE FIRST NOVEL. 95

I desire ; gifts of other kind I have no
mind for.' Petruccia, when she saw
how warm was the love the priest bore
her, drew from her finger a very fine
ring, and gave it to him, saying, c Take
this, and wear it for the love of me, and
never part with it till you shall find
some woman fairer than I am.' The
priest answered, ( These are mere words.
You had better keep the ring, forasmuch
as to my mind there was never yet born
a woman more beautiful and lovesome
than you.' Then the lady with many
tears clasped him round the neck with
her arms, and he clasped her, kissing each
other often on the mouth and pressing
each other's hands. So they said fare-
well, and the priest, when he had taken
his leave of the cardinal, returned to his
home, good luck attending him."

96 THE THIRD DAY.

NOVEL II.

Ccccolo of Perugia, ftabing toasted all fjis sufc»
stance ober Ssabella, tlje toife of one 3Lapo,
a JHorentine, takes serbice toft!) Hapa as a
page. QTfje craft of tfje labjj in taking Jjer
pleasure toitlj Ceccolo, anb in making fjim
feeat fjer ^us&anb toitfj a stick ; ant> ^oto it
fell out t!jat tfje fjusfeanti fjelb Ceccolo bearer
tijan eber, nottoitfjstanbing.

HE novel being finished, the
graceful Saturnina began and
said, " My Auretto, what you
have told me has pleased me
greatly, and I will now tell you a story
which, perchance, you may find as di-
verting as your own — one dealing with
a merry device of a certain lover with
a lady of Florence, which thing fell out
as I will now tell.

There lived once in Florence a very
fair lady named Madonna Isabella, the
wife of one Lapo, a rich merchant. No
other lady of the city was so much

THE SECOND NOfEL. 97

admired as Isabella, for she was by far
the most beautiful, and the fame of her
was spread through all Tuscany, by
reason of her loveliness and courtesy
and gracious carriage. It chanced that
her fame reached the ears of a certain
rich youth of Perugia, called Ceccolo di
Cola Raspanti. It was moreover told
to him how divers gallants jousted to
gain her love ; wherefore he bought him
horses and implements for jousting, and,
having clad himself in rich and honoura-
ble fashion, and put in his purse money
enough, and betaken himself to Florence,
he began to scatter his gold and to con-
sort with the young gallants of the city.
After a few days had passed, he was
seized with desire to behold the lady,
and as soon as he saw her he fell in
love with her, saying to himself, cCertes,
she is still fairer than I had ever believed
she could be.' And then he began to
seek her presence, and to pass frequently
by her house, and to play and sing to
her, and to give banquets and suppers

98 THE THIRD DAY.

out of the love he had for her, besides
frequenting all feasts and weddings where
she would likely be present. He jousted
and ran courses, and went on horseback,
and clad his servants richly, and gave
here a garment and there a horse, all for
love of her. And thus, while his chat-
tels and his money lasted, he was well
looked upon and received everywhere
with honour, but every day he sent word
home to let sell or pledge some one or
other of his goods in order to enable him
to go on spending as he had begun.
This went on for a time, but having
come to the end of his possessions, he
found himself still unable to leave Flor-
ence, so great was the love he bore
this lady.

Therefore one day he made up his
mind, seeing that his means were now
all gone, to offer himself to serve as
page to the husband of the lady afore-
said. In this he met with the success
he hoped for, inasmuch as he found
means to engage himself to Lapo, the

THE SECOND NOVEL. 99

husband of Madonna Isabella, serving
him at table, and accompanying him
whithersoever he might go in town or
country. And Lapo was well attended
and served by him, and held him very
dear when he saw how knowing and
expert he was. Wherefore Ceccolo re-
mained for some time in Messer Lapo's
service.

But it fell out that Ceccolo continued
to be still inflamed with love for his
lady ; wherefore, rinding her one day
alone, he said to her, f Madonna, I
commend myself to you, inasmuch as,
of everything God has created, there is
naught I have ever loved and reverenced
so much as yourself, and as to the past
you may determine whether this be true
or no. For love of you I have spent
all I had in the world, and I hold my-
self most highly favoured that I now
stand here as your servant, for thus I
can at least enjoy the sight of you.'
The lady answered, c Deem not that I
forget all you have done for my sake,

100 THE THIRD DAY.

but 1 thought that you took no more
thought of me, for of late you have
never given me word or sign.' Ceccolo
replied that he had done this by way of
biding his time, and the lady said, f Come
to my bed this night, and see that you
come to the further side thereof; and
if I should chance to be sleeping, touch
my hand gently, so that Lapo may not
hear you. I will leave the door open,
and put out the light; wherefore come
to me without fear, and trust to me to
do the rest.' And to this Ceccolo an-
swered that he would do her bidding.

After nightfall, at the hour appointed
by the lady, Ceccolo went and found the
chamber door open, and the light ex-
tinguished ; and, having crept up to the
bed on the further side, took hold of
the lady's hand. As soon as she was
aroused, she took him gently by the arm
and holding him tight, said to Lapo,
* Husband, I would fain talk to you of
the fidelity of some of your house ser-
vants ; for this very day Ceccolo came

THE SECOND NOVEL. IOI

and sought to make dishonest love to
me, and I, wishing that you might en-
trap him, told him that I would meet
him to-night in the loggia. Therefore,
if you wish to catch him, put on my
raiment, and wrap a cloth round your
head, and go down to the loggia. There
you will certainly find him, for he will
come in the hope of meeting me, and
you will know that this story is true.'
Thereupon Lapo got up and put on his
wife's clothes, and, having gone down to
the loggia, lay in wait for Ceccolo. And
as soon as he was gone the lady took
Ceccolo in her arms, and he returned
her embraces, and they took together
that delight which he had desired so long,
and she likewise, exchanging the sweetest
kisses meanwhile. Then the lady said
to him, 'You have heard what I told
my husband; now go down and rate
him soundly, and take a stick with you
and thrash him as hard as you can.'
Ceccolo answered that she might leave
this to him, and then he got up, and,

102 THE THIRD DAY.

having taken a stick, he went down to
the loggia, where he found the good
man, who was waiting for him. Ceccolo
then cried out, 'Ah ! wicked woman that
you are, why should you think that I
would ever consent to put so foul a
wrong upon my master ? What I said
to you yesterday was said to put you to
the proof, and nothing else; but it seems
that you are brazen enough to wish to
befool your husband, who, forsooth, is
the best and worthiest gentleman in the
city.' Then he up with the stick which
he carried in his hand, and belaboured
Lapo over the arms and back, saying,
* If I should ever see you misconducting
yourself with anyone, I will tell Lapo
thereof, so that he may cut your throat;
and if he shrink from such a task, I
will do it myself.'

Wherefore the good man stole back
into the house, feeling as if every bone
in his body were broken ; and when he
returned to the bedchamber, his wife
asked him how he had fared, and he

THE SECOND NOYEL. 103

answered, * Right badly, forasmuch as I
am bruised all over.' Then said the
lady, * Alas, alas ! that cheating loon,
has he had the hardihood to lay hands
on you ? May God give him a bad
Easter and a bad year.' The husband
replied, * Vex not yourself over this, for
I am even better disposed to him than
to myself.' The wife said, ' But how
can you be so kindly disposed to one
who has thrashed you black and blue ? '
Then she got up and lighted a candle,
and had care for Lapo's shoulders and
arms, which were all livid from the blows
he had received ; and the lady, when
she beheld them, made believe to weep
and lament ; but her husband said. ' Be
quiet, and let me hear no more of this, for
even if he had killed me I should have
died content, after hearing what he told
me.' The lady went on, f Certes, he
shall stay no longer in this house.' But
Lapo replied, ( Take care, as you love
your life, that you say not a word of
this to him. Furthermore, I bid you

104 THE THIRD DAY.

let him come into your room, by day
and by night, whenever it may please
him, for I am convinced that he holds
me very dear, and of a surety I will
never let him go away, for I believe
that a more faithful servant was never
born.' The next morning, Lapo, having
bidden Ceccolo come to him, said, t I
am minded that this house should be as
your own, and that you enjoy the right
to live and die here, and come and go
according as you may desire, for I have
never had a servant who was so dear to
me as you are.' Ceccolo answered,
'You must attribute all that I have
done, or may do, to the love I have for
you ; ' and Lapo said that he was well
assured of that. Wherefore Ceccolo
lived on in the house for a long time,
and he and the lady enjoyed the sweetest
delight together, Lapo suspecting naught
amiss, and always committing his wife to
Ceccolo's care what time he might be
away from Florence. Thus these two
found good occasion to fulfil all their

THE SECOND NOfEL. 105

desires ; and, though a chambermaid
told Lapo more than once that he was
being put to shame by what went on in
the house, he refused to believe her, and
replied, saying, £ If I were to find him
in the very act, I would not believe my
eyes.' On this account, Ceccolo and
the lady lived pleasantly all the time of
their lives, enjoying all the goodly things
and happiness of the world."

When Saturnina had made an end of
her story, Auretto said, " Certes, I never
listened to a more diverting tale than
this one. These two lovers were indeed
well advised and knew how to play their
game. But, as it is now my turn to
sing you a song, I will sing one of a
lover who had just made peace with his
lady." And he sang in this wise :

Blest be the day on which I read me clear
Forgiveness in the eyes I hold so dear.

Long time had I been stranger to those eyes,

Those truthful eyes, so sweet, so dearly loved.
Estranged were we by a false traitor's lies,

106 THE THIRD DAY.

Who to deceive my passion pure was moved ;
Now when I find he hath a traitor proved,
No heart a lighter load than mine doth bear.

My gentle lord, grant me this single boon :
If I so long in angry mood have striven,
That was the fault of this same traitor loon
Whose slanderous tongue thy love from mine

hath riven ;

Wherefore, I pray thee, hold me now for-
given,
So thou to me, and I to thee be near.

When in her presence I stood once again,

Where lonely bloomed erewhile that flower

divine,

She greeted and she gave me roses twain ;
With dainty vermeil lips she smiled benign.
I gave her but one loving tender sign.
We spake no word. I turned and left her there.

When my fair lady had my fault forgiven,

I lay the faithful slave of her behest.
I loved her boundlessly, she was my heaven,
Where after toil and labour I might rest.
I ever keep her image in my breast ;
Her love I prize, her constancy revere.

Go, little song, to this fair flower of nature,
That star above all other stars on high,

THE SECOND HOVEL. IO/

And make your prayer to this divinest creature,
That she will let all other swains go by ;

She who superior shines in form and feature,
I am her slave, and I her slave will die.

As soon as the song was finished the
two lovers took one another by the hand,
and with great delight exchanged their
words of gratitude, saying that they
could have wished the novel might have
gone on for ever, seeing that they found
their greatest happiness when they were
together. Then they said farewell and
went their several ways.

f ourtb

fourth

NOVEL I.

©iannetto after tfje oeatfj of i)is father goes to
Fenice, anlj is reeeibeo as a son bg ffiesser
&nsaloo, a incaltfjg merchant. Being taken
foitf) begin to see t^e iuorlti, fje emftarfes on
a sfjip anto sails to tfje port of iSeltnonte.
^fjat fjappeneli to fjim in fjis bealingg toit^
a certain iniooto lato of tfjat place, to^o fjali
promisco to marrg ang man tofjo sfjoulfc lie
toitfj fjer anlj fjabe enjogmcnt of Jjer.

HEN the two lovers had
corne on the fourth day back
to the convent parlour, their
wonted meeting-place, they
met with many gracious salutations, and
when they had taken each other by the
hand and had seated themselves, Satur-
nina said, " I will tell you a story which
in

112 THE FOURTH DAY.

shall be the sovereign and queen of all
the stories we have told one to the other ;
and I deem you will get great pleasure
from hearing the same.

There was once in Florence, in the
house of the Scali, a certain merchant
called Bindo, who had sailed many times
to Tana, near to Alexandria, and had
likewise adventured in those other long
voyages which are made for the sake of
traffic. This Bindo, who was very rich,
had three stalwart sons, and when he lay
on his deathbed he bade come to him
the eldest and the second born, and in
their presence he made his will and left
them heirs of all he possessed in the
world. But to the youngest he left
nothing. When the will was completed,
the youngest son, who was called Gian-
netto, heard tell of the same, and went
to his father's bedside and said, ( Father,
I am greatly astounded at what you have
done, in taking no thought of me in
your testament.' The father answered,
f My Giannetto, there is no one living I

THE FIRST NOYEL. 113

hold dearer than you, therefore I am not
minded that you should tarry here after
my death, but rather that you should
betake yourself to Venice to your god-
father, who is named Messer Ansaldo.
He has no son of his own, and has writ-
ten to me more than once to send you
to him ; moreover, I must tell you that
he is the richest of all the Christian mer-
chants. Wherefore I desire that you
go to him after my death and give him
this letter. If you manage your affairs
with prudence, you will become a rich
man.' The young man answered, ( My
father, I am ready to do what you com-
mand.' Whereupon the sick man gave
him his blessing, and in a few days' time
breathed his last. All the sons lamented
sorely, and buried their father with due
honours.

When a few days had passed the two
brothers called Giannetto, and said to
him, ' Brother, it is true indeed that our
father has made a will leaving us his heirs,
and making no mention of you. Never-

U4 THE FOURTH DAY.

theless, you are our brother, and from
this time you shall have share in what-
ever may be left, equally with ourselves.'
Giannetto answered, f I thank you, my
brothers, for what you offer, but I have
made up my mind to seek my fortune
in some other place. On this I am fully
determined ; wherefore you can take the
heritage sanctified and assigned to you.'
The brothers, when they saw what his
will was, gave him a horse and money
for his charges. Giannetto took leave
of them, and having journeyed to Ven-
ice and gone to the warehouse of Messer
Ansaldo, he delivered the letter which
his father had handed to him on his
deathbed ; and Messer Ansaldo, when
he had read the same, learned that the
young man before him was the son of
his dear friend Bindo. As soon as he
had read it he straightway embraced Gi-
annetto, saying, f Welcome, dear godson,
whom I have so greatly desired to see.'
Then he asked news of Bindo, and
Giannetto replied that he was dead;

THE FIRST NOYEL. 115

whereupon Ansaldo embraced and kissed
him, weeping the while, and said, ' I am
sorely grieved over Bindo's death, inas-
much as it was by his aid that I won the
greater part of my wealth ; but the joy
I feel at your presence here is so great
that it takes away the sting of my sor-
row.' Then he led Giannetto to his
house, and gave orders to his workpeople,
and those about his person, as well as to
his grooms and servants, that they should
do service to Giannetto even more zeal-
ously than to himself. The first thing
he did was to hand over to Gianetto the
key of all his ready money, saying, * My
son, spend what you will ; buy raiment
and shoes to suit your taste ; bid the
townsfolk to dine with you, and make
yourself known ; for I leave you free to
do what you will, and the better you are
liked by ourcitizens the better I shall love
you.' So Giannetto began to keep com-
pany with the gentlefolk of Venice, to
entertain, to give banquets and presents,
to keep servants in livery, and to buy

II 6 THE FOURTH DAY.

fine horses; moreover, he would joust
and tilt, because he was very expert, and
magnanimous and courteous in every-
thing he did. He never failed to give
honour and respect where they might
be due, and he reverenced Messer An-
saldo as if he had been a hundred times
his father. So prudent was his carriage
with men of all conditions that he won
the goodwill of all the people of Venice,
who regarded him as a youth of the
greatest intelligence and most delightful
manners, and courteous beyond measure ;
so that all the ladies, and the men as well,
seemed in love with him. Messer An-
saldo had no eyes for any but him, so
charmed was he with Giannetto's bear-
ing and manners. Nor was any feast
ever given to which he was not bidden.
It happened one day that two good
friends of his determined to sail for
Alexandria with some wares laden in
two ships, as was their annual custom.
They said to Giannetto, ' You ought to
give yourself the pleasure of a voyage

THE FIRST NOVEL. \\J

with us, in order to see the world, espe-
cially Damascus and the parts there-
about.' Giannetto answered, * In faith
I would go willingly, if only Messer
Ansaldo would give me leave.' They
replied, ( We will see that he does this,
be sure of that.' They went forthwith
to Messer Ansaldo and said to him,
' We beg you to let Giannetto go with
us this spring to Alexandria, and to give
him a bark or vessel so that he may see
something of the world.' Messer An-
saldo replied that he was willing to let
Giannetto do as he liked, and the others
assured him that the young man would
be well pleased to go. Then Messer
Ansaldo let prepare a very fine ship,
which he loaded with much merchandise,
and supplied with banners and arms and
all that was necessary. And when all
was in readiness Messer Ansaldo gave
orders to the captain and the crew of the
ship that they should do whatever Gian-
netto might direct,and he committed him
to their care. c For,' said he, * I am not

Il8 THE FOURTH DAY.

sending him out for the sake of gain,
but so that he may see the world as it
best pleases him.' When Giannetto
went to embark, all Venice came to see
him, for it was long time since any ship
so fine or so well furnished had left the
port ; and when he had taken leave of
Messer Ansaldo and of his companions
he put out to sea and hoisted sail, and
steered the course for Alexandria in the
name of God and of good fortune.

After these three friends in their three
ships had sailed on several days it
chanced that early one morning Gian-
netto caught sight of a certain gulf in
which was a very fair port, whereupon
he asked the captain what might be the
name of the place. The captain replied
that it belonged to a certain lady, a
widow, who had brought many to ruin.
Giannetto inquired how they had been
undone, and the captain replied, ( Mes-
sere, this lady is very beautiful, and she
has made it a law that, if any stranger
lands there, he must needs share her

THE FIRST NOYEL. 119

bed, and, if he should have his will of
her, that he should have her to wife and
be the lord of the town and of all the
country round. But if he should fail
in his venture, he must lose all he has.'
Giannetto meditated for a moment, and
then bade the captain land him at the
port by some means or other, but the
captain cried to him, * Messere, take care
what you do, for many gentlemen have
landed there, and every one has been
ruined.' But Giannetto said, * Trouble
not yourself about others ; do what I
tell you.' His command was obeyed ;
they put the ship about at once and
made sail" for the port, and those on
board the other ships perceived not
what was done.

In the harbour the next morning,
when the news was spread that a fine
ship had come into port, all the people
flocked to see her, and it was told like-
wise to the lady, who forthwith sent for
Giannetto. He went to her with all
haste and made respectful obeisance ;

120 THE FOURTH DAY.

whereupon she took him by the hand
and asked who he was, and whence he
had come, and whether he knew the
custom of the land. Giannetto answered
that he did, and that he had come there
by reason of this custom alone. The
lady said, f You are welcome a hundred-
fold,' and all that day she treated him
with the greatest honour, and bid come
divers counts and barons and knights
who were under her rule to keep Gian-
netto company. All these were might-
ily pleased with Giannetto's manners
and his polished and pleasant and affable
presence. Almost everyone felt kindly
towards him, and all that day they danced
and sang and made merry at the court
for the sake of Giannetto, and everyone
would have been well content to own
him as over-lord.

When evening was come the lady
took him by the hand and led him into
the bedchamber, and said, * Meseems it
is time for us to go to bed.' Whereto
Giannetto made answer, { Madonna, I

THE FIRST NOVEL. 121

am at your commands.' Then two dam-
sels came, one bearing wine and the
other sweetmeats, and the lady said,
1 Surely you must be thirsty ; drink of
this wine.' Giannetto took some sweet-
meats and drank of the wine, which was
drugged to make him sleep, and he un-
witting drank half a glass thereof, as it
had the taste of good wine. Then he
undressed and lay down on the bed, and
fell asleep at once. The lady lay down
beside him, but he woke not till it
was past nine o'clock the next morning.
As soon as it was day the lady arose,
and made them begin unload the ship,
which was filled with rich and fine mer-
chandise. When nine o'clock had struck
the waiting-maid went to the bed where
Giannetto lay, and bade him rise and go
his way with God's help, forasmuch as
he had forfeited his ship and all that was
therein. He was greatly ashamed, and
conscious that he had fared very ill in
his adventure. The lady bade them give
him a horse and money for the way ; and

122 THE FOURTH DAY.

he, after a sad and doleful journey, ar-
rived at Venice, but he dared not for
shame go home. He called by night at
the house of one of his friends, who
marvelled greatly at the sight of him,
and said, f Alas ! Giannetto, what means
this?' and Giannetto made answer, 'My
ship struck one night upon a rock, and
became a wreck, and everything was
broken up. One was cast here and an-
other there, and I caught hold of a piece
of wood, on which I reached the shore.
I returned hither by land, and here I am.'
Giannetto tarried some time in the
house of his friend, who went one day
to see Messer Ansaldo, and found him
in very melancholy mood. Ansaldo
said, c I am so sorely afeared lest this
son of mine should be dead, or that he
have met some ill fortune at sea, that I
can find nor peace nor happiness, so
great is my love for him.' The young
man answered, f I can tell you news of
him ; he has been shipwrecked and has
lost everything, but he has escaped with

THE FIRST NOfEL. 123

his life.' * God be praised for this,' said
Messer Ansaldo ; ' so long as he has
saved himself I am contented, and care
naught for what he has lost. But where
is he ? ' The young man replied that
Giannetto was in his house; whereupon
Messer Ansaldo arose forthwith and was
fain to go thither, and when he saw
Giannetto he ran towards him and em-
braced him, saying, ' My son, you need
feel no shame for what has befallen you,
inasmuch as it is no rare thing for a ship
to be wrecked at sea. Be not cast down,
for, since no hurt has come to you, I
can rejoice.' Then he took Giannetto
home and cheered him the best he could,
and the news spread through Venice,
everyone being grieved for the loss which
had befallen him.

Before long Giannetto's companions
returned from Alexandria, having won
great profit from their venture, and as
soon as they landed they asked for news
of him. When they heard his story
they went straightway to greet him, say-

124 THE FOURTH DAY.

ing, f How did you leave our company,
and where did you go ? When we lost
sight of you, we turned back on our
course for a whole day, but we could
neither see aught of your ship nor learn
where you had gone. Thus we fell into
such grief that, for the whole of our voy-
age, we knew not what merriment was,
deeming you to be dead.' Giannetto
answered, { An adverse wind arose in a
certain inlet of the sea, which drove my
ship on a rock near the shore, and caused
her to sink. I barely escaped with my
life, and everything I had was lost.'
This was the excuse made by Giannetto
to conceal his failure, and all his friends
made merry with him, thanking God
that his life had been spared, and saying,
* Next spring, with God's help, we will
earn as much as you have lost this .voy-
age ; so let us now enjoy ourselves with-
out giving way to sadness,' and they
took their pleasure according to their
wont. But Giannetto could not banish
the thought of how he might return to

THE FIRST NOVEL 125

that lady, pondering with himself and
saying, ( Certes, I must make her my
wife or die,' and he could not shake off
his sadness. Wherefore Messer Ansaldo
besought him often that he should not
grieve ; for that, with the great wealth
he possessed, they could live very well,
but Giannetto answered that he could
know no rest until he should have once
more made that voyage over seas.

When Messer Ansaldo saw what his
longing was, he let furnish for him in
due time another ship, laden with yet
richer cargo than the first, spending in
this venture the main portion of his pos-
sessions ; and the crew, as soon as they
had stored the vessel with all that was
needful, put out to sea with Giannetto
on board, and set sail on the voyage.
Giannetto kept constant watch to espy
the port where the lady dwelt, which
was known as the port of the lady of
Belmonte, and, having sailed one night
up to the entrance thereof, which was in
an arm of the sea, he suddenly recog-

126 THE FOURTH DAY.

nized it, and bade them turn the sails
and steer into it in such fashion that his
friends on board the other ships might
know naught of what he did. The lady,
when she arose in the morning, looked
towards the port, where she saw flying
the flag of Giannetto's ship, and, having
recognized it at once, she called one of
her chambermaids and said to her,
' Know you what flag that is ? ' and the
maid replied that it was the ship of the
young man who had come there just a
year ago, and who had left with them all
his possessions to their great satisfaction.
Then said the lady, ( It is true what you
say, and certes he must be hugely enam-
oured of me, seeing that I have never
known one of these to come back a sec-
ond time.' The maid said, f I indeed
never saw a more courteous and gracious
gentleman than he ; ' whereupon the
lady sent out to Giannetto a troop of
grooms and pages, who went joyfully
on board the ship. He received them
in like spirit, and then went up to the

THE FIRST NOYEL. I2/

castle and presented himself to the
lady.

She, when she met him, embraced
him with joy and delight, and he re-
turned her greeting with reverent devo-
tion. All that day they made merry,
for the lady had bid come to her court
divers ladies and gentlemen, and these
entertained Giannetto joyfully for the
love they bore him. The men grieved
over the fate which was in store for him,
for they would gladly have hailed him
as their lord on account of his charm
and courtesy, while the women were al-
most all in love with him when they saw
with -what dexterity he led the dance,
and how he always wore a merry face as
if he had been the son of some great
lord. When it seemed to her time to
retire, the lady took Giannetto by the
hand and said, * Let us go to bed,' and
when they had gone into the chamber,
and had disposed themselves to rest,
two damsels came with wine and sweet-
meats, whereof they ate and drank, and

128 THE FOURTH DA*.

then went to bed. Giannetto fell asleep
as soon as he lay down ; whereupon the
lady undressed and placed herself beside
him, but he did not awake from sleep
all night. As soon as it was day the
lady arose and bade them quickly un-
load the vessel, and when it was nine
o'clock Giannetto awoke, but on seeking
for the lady he could not find her.
Then he lifted up his head and per-
ceived that it was broad day ; so he got
up, covered with disgrace, and once
more they gave him a horse and money
for the journey, and said l Go your way,'
and he departed full of shame and sor-
row. He journeyed for many days
without halt till he came to Venice, and
there he went by night to the house of
his friend, who, when he saw him, was
hugely amazed and said, f Alas ! and
what can this mean ? ' Giannetto re-
plied, ' I am in evil case. Accursed be
the fortune which led me into that land ! '
His friend replied, f Certes, you may
well miscall your fortune, since you have

THE FIRST NOISEL 129

ruined Messer Ansaldo, the greatest and
the richest of our Christian merchants ;
but still your shame is worse than his
loss.'

Giannetto lay hid some days in his
friend's house, knowing not what to say
or do, and almost minded to return to
Florence without speaking a word to
Messer Ansaldo ; but at last he deter-
mined to seek him, and when Ansaldo
beheld him he arose and ran to him and
embraced him, saying, c Welcome to
you, my son,' and Giannetto embraced
him, weeping the while. Then, when
he had learnt all, Messer Ansaldo said,
' Listen to me, Giannetto, and give over
grieving ; for, as long as I have you back
again, I am contented. We still have
enough to allow us to live in modest

D

fashion. The sea is always wont to give
to one and to take from another.' It
was soon noised abroad in Venice what
had happened, and all men were much
grieved over the loss which Messer An-
saldo had suffered, for he was obliged

130 THE FOURTH DAY.

to sell many of his chattels in order to
pay the creditors who had supplied him
with goods. It happened that the ad-
venturers who had set sail with Gian-
netto returned from Alexandria with
great profit, and as soon as they landed
they heard how Giannetto had come
back broken in fortune ; wherefore they
were greatly amazed and said, f This is
the strangest matter that ever was.'
Then they went with great laughter and
merriment to Messer Ansaldo and Gi-
annetto and said, f Messere, be not cast
down, for we have settled to go next
year to trade on your account, seeing
that we have been in a way the cause of
your loss, in that we persuaded Gian-
netto to go with us. Fear nothing, for
as long as we have anything you may
treat it as your own.' On this account
Messer Ansaldo thanked them, and said
that he had as yet enough left to give
him sustenance.

But it came to pass that Giannetto,
pondering these matters day and night,

THE FIRST NOyEL. 131

could not shake off his sorrow ; where-
fore Messer Ansaldo demanded to know
what ailed him, and Giannetto answered,
* I shall never know content till I have
regained you what I have lost.' Messer
Ansaldo answered, 'My son, I would
not that you should leave me again, for
it will be better for us to live modestly
on what is left to us than for you to put
aught else to hazard.' Giannetto said,
f I am determined to do all I can, for-
asmuch as I should hold myself to be
in most shameful case were I to bide
here in this fashion.' Then Messer
Ansaldo, seeing that his mind was set
thereo-n, made provision to sell all that
he had left in the world, and to equip
for him another vessel ; and, after he had
sold everything, so that he had naught
left, he loaded a fine vessel with mer-
chandise, and, because he wanted yet
ten thousand ducats to complete his ven-
ture, he went to a certain Jew of Mestri,
with whom he made an agreement that,
if he should not repay the debt by Saint

132 THE FOURTH DAY,

John's day in the June following, the
Jew should have the right to take a
pound of his flesh, and to cut the same
from what place so ever he listed. Mes-
ser Ansaldo having duly agreed, and the
Jew having drawn up a binding docu-
ment with witnesses, using all the pre-
cautions and formalities which the occa-
sion demanded, the ten thousand gold
ducats were handed over, and with the
same Messer Ansaldo supplied all that
was wanting in the ship's cargo. In
sooth, if the other two vessels had been
fine and fair, this third was much richer
and better furnished. In like manner
Giannetto's friends fitted out their ves-
sels, with the intention of giving to him
whatever they might gain by traffic.

When the day of departure had come
and they were about to sail, Messer An-
saldo said to Giannetto, ' My son, you
are going away, and you see with what
bond I am bound. One favour I beg
of you, which is, that if perchance you
should again miscarry, you will return

THE FIRST NOYE L. 133

hither, so that I may see you again be-
fore I die ; then I shall be content to
depart ; ' and Giannetto answered that
he would do all things which to him
seemed agreeable to Messer Ansaldo's
wishes. Then Ansaldo gave him his
blessing, and, having taken leave, they
set sail on their voyage. The two friends
who sailed with Giannetto kept good
watch over his ship, while he thought of
nothing else than how he might again
drop into the harbour of Belmonte.
Indeed, he gained over to his interests
one of the steersmen so completely that
he caused the vessel to be brought one
night into the port of the lady's city.
When in the morning the light grew
clear, his two friends in the other two
ships conferred and deliberated, and,
since they saw nothing of Giannetto's
ship, they said one to the other, ( In
sooth, this is an evil turn for him,' and
then they kept on their course, wonder-
ing greatly the while. When the vessel
entered the port all the people of the

134 THE FOURTH DAY.

city ran to see her, and when they learned
that it was Giannetto come once again
they marvelled amain, saying, ' Certes,
he must be the son of some great prince,
seeing that he comes hither every year
with such a fine ship and such great store
of merchandise. Would to God that
he were our ruler ! ' Then all the chief
men and the barons and cavaliers of the
land went to visit Giannetto, and word
was carried to the lady how he was once
more in the port. Whereupon she went
to the window of the palace, and, as
soon as she espied the fine vessel and
the banner thereof, she made the sign of
the holy cross and said, ' Of a surety
this is a great day for me, for it is the
same gentleman who has already brought
such wealth into the land.' And she
forthwith sent for Giannetto.

He repaired to her presence, and they
embraced one another and exchanged
greetings and reverence, and then the
people set themselves to make merry all
that day, and, for the love they had for

THE FIRST NOVEL. 135

Giannetto, they held a stately jousting,
many barons and cavaliers running a
course. Giannetto also was minded to
show his skill, and indeed he wrought
such marvellous deeds, and showed such
great prowess both with his arms and
his horse, and won so completely the
favour of the barons, that they all de-
sired to have him to rule over them.
And when evening had come, and it
was time to retire, the lady took Gian-
netto by the hand and said, * Let us go
to bed.' When they came to the cham-
ber door one of the lady's waiting-women,
who had pity for Giannetto, put her lips
close fo his ear and said in a whisper,
* Make a show of drinking the wine, but
taste it not.' Giannetto caught the mean-
ing of her words, and entered the room
with the lady, who said, ( I am sure you
must be athirst ; wherefore I will that
you take a draught before you lie down
to sleep.' Straightway came two dam-
sels, who were as fair as angels, bearing
wine and sweetmeats according to their

136 THE FOURTH DAY.

wont, and making ready the draught.
Then said Giannetto, c Who could refuse
to drink with cupbearers so lovely as
these ? ' The lady laughed, and Gian-
netto took the cup and feigned to drink
therefrom, but he poured the wine down
into his breast. The lady however be-
lieved that he had indeed drunk of the
same, and said to herself, l Thou wilt
sail here again with another ship, for
thou hast lost the one in the port.'

Giannetto got into bed and found
himself with his wits clear and full of
desire, and the time that sped before
the lady came to his side seemed a
thousand years. He said to himself,
f Certes, I have caught her this time,
and she shall no longer have reason to
think of me as a glutton and a toper.'
And, in order to let her come the
quicker to bed, he began to snore and
to feign to be sleeping. When the lady
saw this she said, 'All is well,' and
quickly undressed herself and lay down
beside Giannetto, who lost no tim*,

THE FIRST NOVEL. I 37

but, as soon as the lady was under the
sheets, he turned and embraced her,
saying, ( Now I have that wfrich I have
so long desired,' and with these words
he gave her the greeting of holy matri-
mony, and all that night she lay in his
arms ; wherefore she was well content.
The next morning she arose before
dawn, and let summon all the barons
and cavaliers and many of the citizens,
and said to them, ( Giannetto is your
lord ; so let us make merry,' and at
these words there went a shout through
all the land, ( Long live our lord, Gian-
netto ! ' The bells and the musical in-
struments gave notice of the feast, and
word was sent to divers barons and
counts who. dwelt far from the city bid-
ding them come and see their ruler.
There were merrymakings and feast-
ings many and sumptuous, and when
Giannetto came forth from the cham-
ber they made him a cavalier and set
him upon the throne, giving him a
wand to hold in his hand, and pro-

138 THE FOURTH DAY.

claiming him lord with much state and
rejoicing.

When all the barons and ladies or"
the land were come to court, Giannetto
took to wife the lady with rejoicings
and delights so great that they can
neither be described nor imagined.
For at this time all the barons and
nobles of the country came to the feast,
and there was no lack of merry jesting,
and jousting, and sword-play, and dan-
cing, and singing, and music, and all the
other sports appertaining to jollity and
rejoicing. Messer Giannetto, like a
high-spirited gentleman, made presents
of silken stuffs and of other rich wares
which he had brought with him. He
was a strong ruler, and made himself
respected by the equal justice he main-
tained towards men of all classes. Thus
he lived his life in joy and gladness, and
gave no thought to Messer Ansaldo,who,
luckless wight as he was, remained a liv-
ing pledge for the ten thousand ducats
which he had borrowed from the Jew.

THE FIRST NOVEL. 139

One day Messer Giannetto, standing
with his wife at the window of the
palace, saw, passing through the piazza,
a band of men bearing lighted torches
in their hands, as if they were going to
make some offering. Giannetto inquired
of her what this might mean ; where-
upon she replied that it was a company
of craftsmen going to pay their vows at
the church of San Giovanni on the fes-
tival of the saint. Messer Giannetto
then remembered Messer Ansaldo, and,
having gone away from the window, he
sighed deeply and became grave of
countenance, and walked up and down
the hall thinking over what he had just
seen. The lady asked what ailed him,
and he replied that nothing was amiss ;
but she began to question him, saying,
* Certes, you are troubled with some-
thing you are loth to tell me,' and she
spake so much on the matter that at
last Messer Giannetto told her how
Messer Ansaldo was held in pledge for
ten thousand ducats, and that the time

140 THE FOURTH DAY.

for repayment expired this very day.
* Wherefore,' he said, c I am smitten
with great sorrow that my father should
have to die for me ; for unless his debt
shall be repaid to-day, he is bound to
have cut from his body a pound of
flesh.' The lady said, Messere, mount
your horse quickly, and travel thither
by land, for you can travel more speed-
ily thus than by sea. Take what follow-
ing you wish, and a hundred thousand
ducats to boot, and halt not till you shall
be come to Venice. Then, if your father
be still living, bring him back here with
you.' Whereupon Giannetto let the
trumpets sound forthwith ; and, having
mounted with twenty companions and
taken money enough, he set out for'
Venice.

When the time set forth in the bond
had expired, the Jew caused Messer
Ansaldo to be seized, and then he de-
clared he meant to cut away from his
debtor the pound of flesh. But Messer
Ansaldo begged him to let him live a

THE FIRST NOVEL. 141

few days longer, so that, in case Gian-
netto should return, he might at least
see his son once more. The Jew replied
that he was willing to grant this favour,
so far as the respite was concerned, but
that he was determined to have his
pound of flesh according to his agree-
ment, though a hundred Giannettos
should come ; and Messer Ansaldo de-
clared that he was content. All the peo-
ple of Venice were talking of this matter,
everyone being grieved thereanent, and
divers traders made a partnership to-
gether to pay the money, but the Jew
would not take it, being minded rather
to do this bloody deed, so that he might
boast that he had slain the chief of the
Christian merchants. Now it happened
that, after Messer Giannetto set forth
eagerly for Venice, his wife followed
immediately behind him clad in legal
garb and taking two servants with her.
When Messer Giannetto had come to
Venice he went to the Jew's house, and,
having joyfully embraced Messer An-

142 THE FOURTH DAY.

saldo, he next turned to the Jew, and
said he was ready to pay the money
that was due, and as much more as he
cared to demand. But the Jew made
answer that he wanted not the money,
since it had not been paid in due time,
but that he desired to cut his pound of
flesh from Ansaldo. Over this matter
there arose great debate, and everyone
condemned the Jew ; but, seeing that
equitable law ruled in Venice, and that
the Jew's contract was fully set forth and
in customary legal form, no one could
deny him his rights ; all they could do
was to entreat his mercy.

On this account all the Venetian mer-
chants came there to entreat the Jew,
but he grew harder than before, and
then Messer Giannetto offered to give
him twenty thousand, but he would not
take them ; then he advanced his offer
to thirty, then to forty, then to fifty, and
finally to a hundred thousand ducats.
Then the Jew said, c See how this thing
stands ! If you were to offer me more

THE FIRST NOVEL. 143

ducats than the whole city of Venice is
worth, I would not take them. I would
rather have what this bond says is my
due.' And while this dispute was going
on there arrived in Venice the lady of
Belmonte, clad as a doctor of laws. She
took lodging at an inn, the host of which
inquired of one of her servants who this
gentleman might be. The servant, who
had been instructed by the lady as to
what reply he should make to a ques-
tion of this sort, replied that his master
was a doctor of laws who was returning
home after a course of study at Bologna.
The host when he heard this did them
great-reverence, and while the doctor of
laws sat at table he inquired of the host
in what fashion the city of Venice was
governed ; whereupon the host replied,

* Messere, we make too much of justice
here.' When the doctor inquired how
this could be, the host went on to say,

* I will tell you how, Messere. Once
there came hither from Florence a youth
whose name was Giannetto. He came

144 THE FOURTH LAY.

to reside with his godfather, who was
called Messer Ansaldo, and so gracious
and courteous did he show himself to
everyone, that all the ladies of Venice,
and the gentlemen as well, held him
very dear. Never before had there come
to our city so seemly a youth. Now
this godfather of his fitted out for him,
on three different occasions, three ships,
all of great value, and every time dis-
aster befell his venture. But for the
equipment of the last ship Messer An-
saldo had not money enough, so he had
perforce to borrow ten thousand ducats
of a certain Jew upon these terms, to
wit, that if by the day of San Giovanni
in the following June he should not have
repaid the debt, the Jew aforesaid should
be free to cut away, from whatever part
of his body he would, a pound of flesh.
Now this much-desired youth has re-
turned from his last voyage, and, in lieu
of the ten thousand ducats, has offered
to give a hundred thousand, but this
villainous Jew will not accept them ; so

THE FIRST NOVEL 145

all our excellent citizens are come hither
to entreat him, but all their prayers
profit nothing.' The doctor said, cThis
is an easy question to settle.' Then
cried the host, ' If you will only take
the trouble to bring it to an end, with-
out letting this good man die, you will
win the love and gratitude of the most
worthy young man that ever was born,
and besides this the goodwill of every
citizen of our state.'

After hearing these words of the host
the doctor let publish a notice through
all the state of Venice, setting forth how
all those with any question of law to
settle' should repair to him. The re-
port having come to the ears of Messer
Giannetto that there was come from
Bologna a doctor of laws who was ready
to settle the rights and wrongs of every
dispute, he went to the Jew and sug-
gested that they should go before the
doctor aforesaid, and the Jew agreed,
saying at the same time that, come what
might, he would demand the right to do

146 THE FOURTH DAY.

all that his bond allowed him. When
they came before the doctor of laws, and
gave him due salutation, he recognized
Messer Giannetto, who meantime knew
not the doctor to be his wife, because
her face was stained with a certain herb.
Messer Giannetto and the Jew spake
their several pleas, and set the question
fully in order before the doctor, who
took up the bond and read it, and then
said to the Jew, ' I desire that you now
take these hundred thousand ducats, and
let go free this good man, who will ever
be bound to you by gratitude.' The
Jew replied, * I will do naught of this,'
Whereupon the doctor persuaded him
again thereto, saying it would be the
better course for him, but the Jew would
not consent. Then they agreed to go
to the proper court for such affairs, and
the doctor, speaking on behalf of Messer
Ansaldo, said, ' Let the merchant be
brought here,' and they fetched him
forthwith, and the doctor said, f Now
take your pound of flesh where you
will, and do your work.'

THE FIRST NOVEL. 147

Then the Jew made Messer Ansaldo
strip himself, and took in his hand a
razor which he had brought for the
purpose ; whereupon Messer Giannetto
turned to the doctor and said, ' Messere,
this is not the thing I begged you to
do/ But the doctor bade him take
heart, for the Jew had not yet cut off"
his pound of flesh. As the Jew ap-
proached, the doctor said, * Take care
what you do ; for, if you cut away more
or less than a pound of flesh, you shall
lose your own head ; and I tell you,
moreover, that if you let flow a single
drop of blood, you shall die, for the
reason'that your bond says naught as to
the shedding of blood. It simply gives
you the right to take a pound of flesh,
and says neither less nor more. Now,
if you are a wise man, you will consider
well which may be the best way to com-
pass this task.' Then the doctor bade
them summon the executioner, and fetch
likewise the axe and the block ; and he
said to the Jew, * As soon as I see the

148 THE FOURTH DAY.

first drop of blood flow, I will have your
head stricken off.' Hereupon the Jew
began to be afeared, and Messer Gian-
netto to take heart ; and, after much
fresh argument, the Jew said, * Messer
doctor, you have greater wit in these
affairs than I have ; so now give me
those hundred thousand ducats, and I
will be satisfied.' But the doctor re-
plied that he might take his pound of
flesh, as his bond said, for he should
not be allowed a single piece of money
now ; he should have taken it when it
was offered to him. Then the Jew came
to ninety, and then to eighty thousand,
but the doctor stood firmer than ever to
his word. Messer Giannetto spake to
the doctor, saying, £ Give him what he
asks, so that he lets Messer Ansaldo
go free.' But the doctor replied that
the settlement of the question had bet-
ter be left to himself. The Jew now
cried out that he would take fifty thou-
sand; but the doctor answered, { I would
not give you the meanest coin you ever

THE FIRST NOVEL. 149

had in your pouch.' The Jew went on,
* Give me at least the ten thousand
ducats that are my own, and cursed be
heaven and earth ! ' Then said the doc-
tor, ( Do you not understand that you
will get nothing at all ? If you are
minded to take what is yours, take it;
if not, I will protest, and cause your
bond to be annulled.'

At these words all those who were as-
sembled rejoiced exceedingly, and began
to put flouts and jests upon the Jew,
saying, 'This fellow thought to play a
trick, and see he is tricked himself.'
Then the Jew, seeing that he could not
have his will, took his bonds and cut
them in pieces in his rage; whereupon
Messer Ansaldo was at once set free and
led with the greatest rejoicing to Messer
Giannetto's house. Next Giannetto
took the hundred thousand ducats and
went to the doctor, whom he found in
his chamber making ready to depart,
and said, c Messere, you have done me
the greatest service I have ever known,

150 THE FOURTH DAY.

and for this reason I would that you
take with you this money, which, certes,
you have well earned.' The doctor re-
plied, * Messer Giannetto, I thank you
heartily ; but as I have no need of the
money, keep it yourself, so that your
wife may not charge you with wasting
your substance.' Messer Giannetto an-
swered, * By my faith, she is so generous
and kindly and good, that, even were I
to lavish four times the money I have
here, she would not complain ; in sooth,
she was fain that I should take with me
a much greater sum than this.' The
doctor inquired whether Giannetto were
contented with this wife of his, and Gi-
annetto replied, c There is no one God
ever made who is so dear to me as she
is ; she is so prudent and so fair that
nature could not possibly excel her.
Now, if you will do me the favour to
come and visit me, and see her, I trow
you will be amazed at the honourable
reception she will give you, and you can
see for yourself whether or not she is all

THE FIRST NOYEL. 151

that I now tell you.' The doctor of
laws replied, 1 1 cannot visit you as you
desire, seeing that I have other business
in hand ; but, since you tell me that
your wife is so virtuous a lady, salute
her on my behalf when you see her.'
Messer Giannetto declared that he would
not fail to do this, but he still urged the
doctor to accept the money as a gift.

While they were thus debating the
doctor espied upon Messer Giannetto's
hand a ring, and said, * I would fain have
that ring of yours, but money of any
sort I will not take.' Messer Giannetto
answered, * It shall be as you wish, but
I give" you this ring somewhat unwil-
lingly, for my wife gave me the same,
saying that I must always keep it out of
love for her. Now, were she to see me
without the ring, she would deem that I
had given it to some other woman, and
would be wroth with me, and believe I
had fallen in love otherwhere, but in
sooth I love her better than I love my-
self.' The doctor replied, ' Certes, if

I $2 THE FOURTH DAY,

she love you as much as you say, she
will believe you when you tell her that
you gave it to me. But perchance you
want to give it to some old sweetheart
of yours here in Venice.' Messer Gi-
annetto answered, c So great are the love
and the trust I have for her, that there
is not a lady in the world for whom I
would exchange her, so consummately
fair is she in every sense,' and with these
words he drew from his finger the ring,
which he gave to the doctor, and they
embraced each other, saluting with due
respect. The doctor asked Messer Gi-
annetto if he would grant him a favour,
and being answered in the affirmative,
he went on to say, ( I would that you
tarry not here, but go straightway home
to your wife.' Messer Giannetto de-
clared that the time yet to elapse before
meeting her would be as long to him as
a thousand years, and in this wise they
took leave of one another.

The doctor embarked and went his
way, while Messer Giannetto let cele-

THE FIRST NOYEL. 153

brate divers banquets, and gave horses
and money to his companions, and the
merrymaking went on for several days.
He kept open house, and at last he bade
farewell to the Venetians, and took Mes-
ser Ansaldo with him, many of his old
friends accompanying them on their
voyage. Well nigh all the gentlemen
and the ladies shed tears over his de-
parture, so gracious had been his car-
riage with everyone what time he had
abode in Venice, and thus he departed
and returned to Belmonte. It hap-
pened that his wife had come there some
days before, having given out that she
had been away at the baths, and had
once more put on woman's garb. Now
she prepared great feastings, and hung
all the streets with silk, and bade divers
companies of men-at-arms array them-
selves ; so when Messer Giannetto and
Messer Ansaldo arrived all the barons
and the courtiers met them, crying out,
c Long live our lord ! ' When they had
landed the lady ran to embrace Messer

154 THE FOURTH DAY.

Ansaldo, but with Messer Giannetto she
seemed somewhat angered, albeit she
held him dearer than her own self. And
they made high festival with jousting,
and sword-play, and dancing, and sing-
ing, in which all the barons and ladies
present at the court took part.

When Messer Giannetto perceived
that his wife did not welcome him with
that good humour which was her wont,
he went into the chamber, and, having
called her, asked her what was amiss,
and offered to embrace her ; but she
said, ' I want no caresses of yours, for I
am well assured that you have met some
old sweetheart of yours at Venice.' Mes-
ser Giannetto began to protest ; where-
upon the lady cried, ' Where is the ring
I gave you ? ' Messer Giannetto an-
swered, c That which I thought would
happen has indeed come to pass, for I
said you must needs think evil of what
I did ; but I swear to you, by the faith
I have in God and in yourself, that I
gave the ring to that doctor of laws who

THE FIRST NOVEL 155

helped me win the suit against the Jew.'
The lady said, c And I swear to you, by
the faith I have in God and in you, that
you gave it to a woman. I am sure of
this, and you are not ashamed to swear
as you have sworn.' Messer Giannetto
went on, ' I pray that God may strike
me dead if I do not speak the truth ;
moreover, I spake as I told you to the
doctor when he begged the ring of me.'
The lady replied, { You had better abide
henceforth in Venice, and leave Messer
Ansaldo here, while you take your pleas-
ure with your wantons; in sooth, I hear
they all wept when you left them.' Mes-
ser- Giannetto burst into tears, and,
greatly troubled, cried out, ' You swear
to what is not and cannot be true ; '
whereupon the lady, perceiving from his
tears that she had struck a knife into his
heart, quickly ran to him and embraced
him, laughing heartily the while. She
showed him the ring, and told him
everything : what he had said to the
doctor of laws ; how she herself was

156 THE FOURTH DAY.

that same doctor, and in what wise he
had given her the ring. Thereupon
Messer Giannetto was mightily aston-
ished ; and, when he saw that it was all
true, he made merry thereanent. When
he went forth from the chamber he told
the story to all the barons and to his
friends about the court, and from this
adventure the love between this pair
became greater than ever. And after-
wards Messer Giannetto let summon
that same waiting-woman who had coun-
selled him not to drink the wine, and
gave her in marriage to Messer Ansaldo,
and they all lived together in joy and
feasting as long as their lives lasted."

THE SECOND NOl^EL 157

NOVEL II

Count SHoobranoino, a man atobanceti in gears,
in orocr to get to im'fe tfje tmuijfjter of (£arsi=
baloo, inouces fjer fatfjcr to proclaim a tour-
nament, Suit!) tfje oamsel as tf)e first prije
thereof, f^oto fje profaeb tf)e bictor in tfje
same ant> toon tfje laog.

HEN Saturnina's novel had
come to an end, Frate Auretto
began and said, " Certes, your
story is one of the finest I
ever listened to, and it may well be ad-
judged the prize as the best that has yet
been told. Nevertheless, I would fain
tell you one of my own, which per-
chance may please you, albeit my power
of invention and narrative falls greatly
short of yours.

Not a great time ago there dwelt in
Provence a gentleman who was lord of
several villages, and called by name Car-
sivalo. He was worthy, and of good
understanding, and held in much affec-

I $8 THE FOURTH DAY.

tion and honour by the other lords and
barons of the country, for the reason
that he was of old and noble lineage,
being descended from the house of Balzo
in Provence. He had one daughter,
whose name was Lisetta, and she was
the fairest and most excellent lady in
the whole of Provence. Many lords
and counts and barons sought to win her
in marriage, all of whom were young
and gallant and goodly in person ; but
Carsivalo said them all nay, and was not
minded to give his daughter to any one
of them. It happened that there dwelt
in the country a certain count, who was
the lord of Venisi and of all its towns
and villages, named Count Aldobran-
dino. He was an old man, more than
seventy years of age, blessed with neither
wife nor child, and so rich withal that
his purse seemed to have no bottom.
Now when Count Aldobrandino heard
of the beauty of Carsivalo's daughter,
he became enamoured of her, and de-
sired greatly to have her to wife, but he

THE SECOND NOI/EL. 159

was kept back by bashfulness from ask-
ing for her, because he was an old man,
and because he knew that so many
mettlesome youths had besought her
without success. Nevertheless, he was
consumed with the desire to possess her,
but could find no method of compassing
his end.

One day he let prepare an entertain-
ment, and it happened by chance that
Carsivalo, as his friend and loyal fol-
lower, went to the feast to pay his re-
spects. The count received him with
much honour, bestowing upon him horses
and hawks and hounds, and many things
beside, and likewise determined in friend-
ly fashion to ask of him his daughter ;
and one day, when they were in a room
together, the count began with very gra-
cious speech and said, ' My Carsivalo, I
will tell you what I have in my mind
without any prelude, for I deem that
to you I may speak whatsoever I will.
Let it be understood that there is one
matter over which I am somewhat

l6o THE FOURTH DAY.

abashed, and one only, what though I
have often observed that the leek, which
lives underground, waxes and decays as
regards its outward stalk, and always
keeps green itself. But, be this as it
may, I now declare to you that, with
your good pleasure, I am fain to have
your daughter to wife.' Carsivalo an-
swered, * In good faith, my lord, I
would willingly give her to you, but it
might prove a source of great trouble to
me, considering how many suitors have
already sought her, all of them young
men of eighteen or twenty, for all of
these might become your enemies. And
then her mother and her brothers and
my other kinsfolk might be ill content,
and perhaps the damsel herself might
not approve of you, seeing that she has
had her choice of others of fresher age.'
The count answered, * My Carsivalo,
you speak truly, but you may tell her
that she shall be the mistress of every-
thing I have in the world, inasmuch as I
desire that you and I together may find

THE SECOND NOYEL. l6l

a way of success.' The other replied, c I
am well content; but let us think the
matter over to-night, and to-morrow let
us exchange our views.' And so it was
settled.

The count slept not at all that night,
but he devised a most excellent scheme
for the furtherance of his design, and,
when it was morning, he called his guest
and said, c I have hit upon a plan which
will supply you with a capital pretext,
and at the same time do you honour.'
Carsivalo inquired what this plan might
be, and the count replied, * You must
proclaim a tournament, and send word
to all such as would have your daughter
to wife, to come thither on a certain
day ; then he who may be adjudged
conqueror shall win her hand. Leave
all else to me, for I will contrive to be
the winner by a method which will gain
the approval of all men.' Carsivalo an-
swered that he was satisfied, and then
departed and went home ; and, when he
came there, he called his wife and others

1 62 THE FOURTH DAY.

of his friends and kinsfolk, and said, c It
would seem now to be full time to marry
Lisetta. What plan would you adopt,
taking due account of the many suitors
who have come here, all of whom are
our friends and neighbours? If we do
not give her to this or that, but to the
other, the rejected ones will become our
foes because of wrath, and will say,
"Are we not as good as he ? " So in
lieu of gaining friends we should make
enemies. Wherefore it seems fitting
that we should proclaim this spring a
tournament, at which whosoever shall
be the conqueror shall win our daughter
and good luck with her.' The mother
and all the rest answered that they were
well satisfied with this suggestion, which
was duly carried out.

Carsivalo let notice of the tournament
be published abroad, proclaiming that
anyone who might wish to have his
daughter to wife should repair on the
calends of May to a jousting match to
be holden at the city of Marseilles, and

THE SECOND NOVEL. 163

that the conqueror therein should win
his daughter also. When he heard this
the Count Aldobrandino sent to the
King of France, begging the services of
the boldest squire of arms in the coun-
try. The king, bearing in mind that
the count had always been a faithful
vassal of the crown, and was even akin
to him, sent to him a certain squire whom
he had trained from childhood, Ricciardo
by name, and a scion of the family of
Mont Albano, formerly a noble and
a valiant house. Him the king com-
manded to do whatsoever the Count
Aldobrandino might require. When
this youth arrived the count gave him
honourable reception, and then told him
the whole story, and why he had sent
for him. Ricciardo said, f I received a
command from the king to do whatso-
ever you might bid me ; wherefore give
your orders, and I will carry them out
in gallant fashion.' The count went on,
f I have let prepare in Marseilles a tour-
nament in which I am minded that you

1 64 THE FOURTH DAY.

should be the victor. Afterwards I will
take the field and fight with you, when
you must suffer me to overthrow you.
Then I shall be adjudged the conqueror
of the jousts.' Ricciardo replied that
he was ready to assent to this ; where-
fore the count kept him hidden until
the day of the tournament, and then he
told him to take what arms he liked and
go to Marseilles, and make pretence of
being a knight errant with money and
horses to his taste, and a man of valour
to boot. Ricciardo bade the count leave
all this to him, and, having gone to the
stables, he beheld amongst the other
horses a certain one which had not been
ridden for several months past. This
he mounted at once, and chose certain
followers according to his liking, and
then set out for Marseilles, where they
were making mighty preparations for
the tournament ensuing.

Many young gallants were assembled
for the jousting, and fortunate 'was he
who was able to make the most seemly

THE SECOND NOYEL. 165

and honourable appearance there. With
the sound of trumpets and pipes, it
seemed as if the whole world were full
of music. A large space was enclosed
with palisades to serve as the tilting-
ground, with many balconies round
about, where lords and ladies and dam-
sels took their station to behold the
spectacle. On the calends of May there
came that gracious damsel, Lisetta by
name, who shone amongst the others
like a sun, so fair and seemly was her
carriage in every way ; and likewise all
those who were fain to have her to wife
came to the tournament with guise and
devices of various kinds, and dealt one
another the shrewdest blows. Ricciardo
also was there, mounted on his charger,
and he made every jouster give way to
him. The tournament lasted nearly all
day, and in every course Ricciardo was
the victor, seeing that he was better
versed in the use of arms than any of
the others, attacking with spirit, defend-
ing himself skilfully, and turning rap-

1 66 THE FOURTH DAY.

idly like one accustomed to such sport.
Wherefore men asked each other who
this might be, and the word went round
that he was an outlander who had come
to the jousting. Thus he remained the
master of the field, for all the others were
overthrown, and left the ground, some
this way and some that, not being able
to stand against his doughty blows.

But in a short time Count Aldobran-
dino entered the field fully armed, and
sounded his challenge and fell upon Ric-
ciardo, who returned his assault. After
exchanging divers strokes Ricciardo, as
he had agreed, suffered himself to be
beaten down, and made no more fight,
what though he was ill content with his
part, seeing that he, too,v had fallen in
love with Lisetta ; but he was forced to
observe the bidding of the king, and
bound likewise to do what Count Aldo-
brandino wished. After the count had
gained the final victory, and had ridden
round the lists sword in hand, all his
squires and barons went to meet him

THE SECOND NOl/EL. 167

with great rejoicing ; and when he re-
moved his helmet and disclosed his face,
all present marvelled greatly, and the
lady Lisetta especially. And in this wise
he won to wife the daughter of Carsi-
valo, and took her home with great joy
and merrymaking. After this Ricciardo
returned to France, and when the king
asked him how he had fared, he an-
swered, c Sacred Majesty, I come from
a tournament at which this count of
yours played me a very scurvy trick.'
The king asked how, and Ricciardo went
on to tell how the count had made him
a go-between, and described all that had
happened, whereat the king marvelled
greatly. But Ricciardo said, * My lord,
wonder not at what has come to pass ;
wonder rather that I should have acted
such a part, for in sooth I never before
did any deed which caused me so great
grief as this, so incomparably fair is the
lady whom Count Aldobrandino has
won by his crafty scheming.' The king,
when he heard the story, was silent a

1 68 THE FOURTH DAY.

little space, and then said, c Keep a good
heart, Ricciardo ; for this tournament
shall prove to be your making. Be
satisfied with this.'

Shortly afterwards it happened that
Count Aldobrandino died without off-
spring ; whereupon Madonna Lisetta
being left a widow, her father took her
back to his house, but he gave her nei-
ther word nor caress according to his
wont. For this cause the young lady
began to marvel amain in her mind, and
when at last she could endure no longer,
she said to her father one day, ' Father,
I wonder much at your treatment of me,
considering that I was at one time as
dear to you as the eye in your head, and
that you held me in greater love than
any of your other children. Moreover,
whenever you chanced to behold me you
rejoiced at heart, that is, while I was a
maid. But now, for some reason I know
not, it seems that you cannot bear the
sight of me.' Her father answered,
* There is less reason for you to wonder

THE SECOND NOPEL. 169

at me, than for me to wonder at you ;
because I always deemed you were of
good understanding, seeing clearly the
reason and design I had in marrying you
to your husband, to wit, that you might
have children, and remain after his death
the mistress of all his wealth. For this
reason I compassed your marriage, and
for no other.' The daughter answered,
( I did all that lay in my power/ Her
father said, ' How was it that there was
not in the household some cavalier or
knight or varlet by whom this business
might have been done ? ' Whereto the
daughter answered, ( Father, trouble not
yourself over this ; for I can assure you
that there is no cavalier or knight or var-
let in the house to whom I have not
spoken thereanent, but no one would be-
lieve me.' When the father heard this
witty reply, he laughed and said, £ I am
quite satisfied, and I promise to give you
so feat a husband that you shall be put
to no trouble in seeking service from
any other but him, and leave all to me.'

170 THE FOURTH DAY.

It chanced that the whole of the es-
tate of Count Aldobrandino devolved
upon the King of France, who, calling
to mind the prowess and the knightly
courtesy which Ricciardo had displayed,
sent at once word into Provence that
it was his pleasure that Carsivalo should
give his daughter in marriage to a certain
squire of his own, who ought in all rea-
son to be her husband. Carsivalo forth-
with understood the meaning of this, and
sent answer that he would do whatsoever
the king might please to command.
Whereupon the king, having taken horse
with a great following of barons, travelled
into Provence, taking with him Ricci-
ardo, whom he mated with Lisetta, so
that sJie became his wife. Next he cre-
ated Ricciardo a count, granting to him
all the heritage of Aldobrandino ; and
this match gave pleasure to all those
round about, and especially to Ricciardo.
Moreover, there was no longer any par-
ticle of need for the countess to go
seeking the good offices of squires and

THE SECOND NO^EL. \"J\

varlets, seeing that both she and Ricci-
ardo were young and vigorous and well
set for sprightly diversion. Wherefore
they lived many years together in hap-
piness and jollity."

When the novel was finished Saturnina
said, "As it is now my turn to speak, I
will sing you a canzonet, which I trow you
will understand from the words thereof
better than by any saying or picture of
mine." And she sang in this wise :

Dearer than life art thou, yet shall I find
Grace in thy sight, thou flower of womankind ?

When the love-kindling fire darts from thine eyes,
And droops my heart as droops the sun-smit

flower,

And I no place can find to spend my sighs,
Then of thy radiant glance I feel the power
Within my heart, like to the snow-flake shower,
Like manna sweet borne on the balmy wind.

Dost thou forget, with what desire intense
I ever brought thee faith and loyalty,

Hoping to find in thee some recompense,
And gave my heart and soul alike to thee ?
This thou, with thy clear wisdom, sure wilt see ;
I'll rate thee ill, unless thy words be kind.

1/2 THE FOURTH DAY.

Well dost thou know the balm of ecstasy
Thy voice can bring my weary soul unto.

When thou, without reserve, shalt whisper me,
"Sir, I will take thee for my lover true."
Therefore forget not, lady, to renew
The contract which thy heart and eyes have signed.

Such faith I have kept, and with thee still keep,
Which every loyal heart is bound to hold.

For now I trow my guerdon I shall reap,
What time thy loving arms shall me enfold,
But more such pain to bear I am not bold,
Unless thy favour be to me inclined.

Go, little song, to her who keeps my heart,
The queen unquestioned of my soul and fate,

And bid my lady, on her servant's part,
To let her kindness on her suppliant wait,
And show some pity on his woeful state,
For to her yoke he is, and will be aye resigned.

When the canzonet had come to an
end the lovers clasped hands, declaring
mutually that these meetings were the
great delight and solace of their lives,
by reason of the sweet and pleasant dis-
course which they held one with the
other. Then they bade fareweU and
departed.

jTiftb

ffiftb

NOVEL I.

Cfjello ant) Sanni of Uelletri feign to fie sootfj=
sagers, in orfcer t0 cast sfjame upon tfje &o=
man people. Cfjeg are receftet) fig Crassus
at tfje state palace, ant) tfjeg t>ig up for f)im
certain pieces of tnoneg fe^icf) tfjeg fjatJ fjitilnen
in fibers places. 2Efjeg next declare t^at tm=
tier tfje totoer of tfje palace of tfje tribunes is
Ijititien a bast treasure. Crassus causes tfje
same to fie mineti antj untierpinneti ; anti tfje
'sootfjsagers itintile a 0re tfjere. Cfjen tfjeg
quit ftome, ant) tfje next morning tfje tofoer
falls, feoitfj great slaughter of tfje Eoman
people.

1HEN on the fifth day the
two lovers returned to their
wonted place of meeting,
Frate Auretto began and
said, " As it is my turn to discourse, I
am minded that we should cease telling

176 THE FIFTH DAY.

of love, and concern ourselves for a little
with themes dealing rather with manners
and history. These things, indeed, are
better worth narrating and more profit-
able ; wherefore I will tell you a story
of Rome, which is this.

In the city of Rome there lived for-
merly a very noble citizen, Crassus by
name, who, according to the account
given in Titus Livius his history, was
the most avaricious man the world ever
saw, forasmuch as there was nothing he
would not have done or sanctioned for
the sake of money. It happened that
during a quarrel which had continued
for many years with discord and blood-
shed between the Romans and the peo-
ple of Velletri, a place some fifteen miles
distant, two men of Velletri resolved to
set to work to bring shame and injury
upon the Roman people. First they
let assemble the council of Velletri, and
announced how they were ready to work
great loss and disgrace to the Romans,
but they asked to have handed over to

THE FIRST HOVEL. iff

them fifty thousand florins, declaring
that, should they not accomplish their
task, they would pay back a hundred
thousand ; whereupon the council of
Velletri resolved to give these men what
they demanded. The fifty thousand
florins were given to them, with the re-
quest that they should go and let their
deeds match their valorous promises.

Then these two adventurers, whose
names were Chello and Janni, took the
money, and, having embarked on the
sea, went to Pisa, where they bought
four horses and clothed themselves in
strange garments. Moreover, by letting
their beards grow and staining their
faces with herbs, they altered their seem-
ing so greatly that no one would have
known them. Having hired two ser-
vants and instructed them to answer,
should anyone demand to know who
their employers might be, that they
were soothsayers from a foreign land,
they went on to Rome. They did not
draw rein till they reached the city, and

1/8 THE FIFTH DAY.

they secretly buried in certain places
outside the walls much of their money,
six thousand florins in one place, ten
in another, and twenty in another, each
portion being enclosed in vessels of cop-
per, made in ancient fashion. Then
they began to show themselves about
the house of Crassus. And when the
people saw the strange garb and the
seemly carriage of the two, they asked
the servants many a time who they
might be, whereupon these replied that
their masters were soothsayers, come to
Rome from a foreign country. When
Crassus came to know that two sooth-
sayers had arrived at his court, he sent
for them straightway, and demanded of
them whence they came, and what was
their object in visiting Rome. They
replied, c We are diviners from Toleto,
and we can find treasure that is buried
in the ground. Now, because we know
that much money must have been buried
at Rome by the rich men of old days,
we desired to come hither, and also to

THE FIRST NOfEL. 179

look upon your magnificence.' Then
Crassus said to himself, c These are in-
deed men who can give me to the full
the thing I desire ; ' and then he gave
orders that they should be treated with
great honour, and let them know that
he would soon be fain to see some
sample of their art. He assigned to
them lodging likewise, and caused them
ofttimes to be bidden to his table.

It came to pass on a certain night,
when they deemed the time was fitting,
that they called upon Crassus, and, hav-
ing pointed out to him a star, said, t We
perceive, by the power of that star, that
right under your feet is buried a great
sum of money.' Crassus was mightily
pleased at these words, and demanded
to know how he might lay hands on
this treasure ; whereupon the others an-
swered that he had better leave the
business to them ; all they wanted was
the help of the most trusted servants he
had, and Crassus agreed to what they
proposed. They then took their way

180 THE FIFTH DAY.

out of the city to the spot where they
had buried the six thousand florins, and
when they came anear thereto they bade
retire all the servants, and began to
make show to measure and to adjust the
position of the stars with geometry and
arithmetical reckoning, and divers acts
and signs. After this had gone on for
a little, they commanded the servants
to dig, and they in digging found the
metal pot which held the money afore-
said. They went back forthwith to Cras-
sus and gave him the money ; whereupon
he was greatly astonished, and demanded
to know from his servants how this thing
had come about, and the servants related
to him all the methods the men had
employed. Then Crassus said, c Certes,
these be the men I am seeking,' and he
let them come to his table, and showed
them great respect. The two men spake
little and held aloof, and when the next
opportunity offered itself they did what
they had done before, and said to Cras-
sus, c My lord, a planet has just ap-

THE FIRST NOVEL. l8l

peared, with which there is a star, which
points to a spot where is buried a quan-
tity of treasure; wherefore we would fain
go thither/ After torches had been
lighted, Crassus sent with them certain
of his servants ; and they went to the
great palace, which was in ruins, and
there they made the same signs and mo-
tions, and bade the servants dig. They
soon came upon the ten thousand flor-
ins, and, having hurried back to Crassus,
gave him the money.

It seemed to Crassus that this feat
was indeed a mighty one, and he said to
himself, f These diviners will make me
the richest man in the world ; ' and he
put full faith in them. Again, when the
time seemed ripe, they went and dealt
in the same fashion with the fifteen thou-
sand florins which they had deposited in
another place. Crassus, when this last-
named thing had come about, was the
happiest man in the world. There stood
upon the Capitol a tower called the
tower of the tribunes, on the outside of

1 82 THE FIFTH DAY.

which were cut in metal the names of all
those who had ever won glory or fame,
and this tower was deemed the noblest
thing in the city. Now these sooth-
sayers laid a scheme to bring this tower
to the ground, and one day they said to
Crassus, ' My lord, we perceive that a
vast sum of treasure lies under the tower
of the tribunes.' Crassus answered,
'Well, and can you find means to get it
out ? ' They replied, ' You know it can
be excavated by skilful artificers, and
props put in on both sides. When this
has been done we can dig out the treas-
ure that is there ; then you can lay
the foundations afresh.' Crassus sent
straightway for two skilled artificers, and
sought their advice in this business, and
they gave answer that the tower could
be excavated on two sides and under-
pinned, and a new foundation put in
afterwards. Then Crassus caused the
excavation to be made, and the tower to
be underpinned ; and, that the thing
might be kept secret, he built around

THE FIRST NOYEL 183

the tower a wooden fence secured by
lock and key. When this was done he
gave the key to the two soothsayers,
who remained on the spot with the arti-
ficers while they secretly excavated the
foundations and underpinned the tower.

As soon as the excavation was fin-
ished, the two men, who had the key of
the pit, conveyed therein, when they
found opportunity, a great quantity of
tow, which they placed around the wood
used for underpinning, and prepared a
fire with sulphur and tinder; but they
contrived that the tower should not fall
before morning, in order that they might
by that time have got some good dis-
tance from Rome. And as soon as they
had set all in order according to their
design, they kindled a fire, and, having
fastened and sealed the entrance, they
mounted two swift horses and returned
to Velletri.

The next day it happened that a great
multitude of people were assembled in
the Capitol, as it was market-day, and

1 84 THE FIFTH DAY.

just at half-past nine in the morning the
tower aforesaid fell to the earth, killing
several hundred people in its ruin. In-
deed, as far as Velletri the noise could
be heard, and the cloud of dust could
be seen. Thereupon the people of Vel-
letri rejoiced amain, and afterwards sent
letters to Rome, telling what they had
done, and how by means of the money
they had ruined the most stately pos-
session in Rome. When the Romans
were informed of this, they rushed full
of rage to the palace of Crassus, and with
one accord fell on him and slew him."

THE SECOND NOfEL. 185

NOVEL II.

Hanni anti Ctucolo betake tijemselfces to Boetfjms
for aobfce : tfje one because fje fount! fjfmself
foitfj nothing in fjts pocket at tfje etrti of tfje
gear, anti tfje otfjer because fje fjafc a cross*
grametj inife. 2Efje ansiner tnafce to tf)em bo

JHEN the foregoing tale was
finished Saturnina began and
said, " I have been mightily
pleased in sooth by the story
you have told me ; wherefore I also will
tell one the scene of which as you will
see is also laid in Rome. I am sure you
will be diverted with it, forasmuch as
I perceive you are grown weary of the
theme of love. Moreover, it is seemly
now and then to vary the fashion of our
entertainment, since one thing may please
this, and another that person ; so I will
now begin my tale.

There lived in Rome two men who
were close friends, the one named Janni

1 86 THE FIFTH DAY.

and the other Ciucolo. They were rich
and well-to-do in this world's goods,
keeping each other company day and
night, and holding each other dearer
than brothers. Both lived in seemly
fashion, and passed the time pleasantly,
being of gentle birth and Roman knights.
On a certain day, when they were to-
gether, one said to the other, f Has it
happened to you as to me ? * and the one
addressed replied, t What do you mean ? '
The first said, ' What if I tell you that
I have used such bad economy with my
affairs that at the new year I found my-
self with nothing but debts.' His friend
answered, f By faith, I have at home the
most cross-grained woman for a wife
there is in all the world ; in sooth, she is
rather devil than woman. Do what I
may to gratify her, I cannot make life
with her possible, so malicious and ill-
tempered is she. Night and morning
there is scolding and contention, vastly
more than I desire ; wherefore I cannot
manage to keep company with her

THE SECOND NOYEL. 187

longer.' Then said Janni, £ I propose
that we should seek advice about our
affairs — I of mine, and you of yours.'
Whereupon Ciucolo agreed to this, and
they betook themselves to a worthy gen-
tleman named Boethius.

When they came before him Janni be-
gan, f Signer, we are come to you for
advice. As to myself, I work my farms
all the year and always find myself in
debt, notwithstanding the income I en-
joy, which thing puzzles me greatly.'
Ciucolo said, c And I have to wife the
most cross-grained and spiteful woman
in the world.' Then Boethius said to
Janni, t Rise betimes in the morning,'
and to Ciucolo, c Go to the bridge of
Sant Agnolo, and God be with you ! '
The two friends were hugely astonished,
and said one to the other, c This fellow
is a stupid fool ; what does he mean by
this speech of his ? When I tell him
about my stock and chattels, he bids me
get up early, and he tells you to go to
the bridge of Sant Agnolo ; ' and they

1 88 THE FIFTH DAY.

departed, jeering at Boethius. But one
morning Janni did rise early, and hid
himself behind the door ; and after a
little he espied one of his servants carry-
ing down a huge jar of oil, and then an-
other with a large piece of dried meat.
On account of what he saw he watched
again and again ; and this time it was the
women-servants, and the next the ser-
ving-woman ; one took grain, and one
took flour ; this took one thing, and that
another ; wherefore he said to himself,
* Small wonder that I find myself penni-
less at the end of the year.' Then he
called his man-servant and said to him,
1 Get you gone, and let me see you no
more in this house.' Next he sent for
his women-servants and the waiting-
maid, and said the like to them, sending
away the whole band, and engaging new
servants. He began to have a care to
his business, and at the end of the year
he found himself in funds, just the same
as he had heretofore been lacking.
One day he met his friend and told

THE SECOND NOYEL. 189

him what he had gained by early rising;
whereupon Ciucolo said, t And, certes, I
was minded to make trial of the counsel
Boethius gave me, and the other day I
went to the bridge of Sant Agnolo, and
there I waited, having seated myself. It
chanced that a carrier with divers laden
mules went by, when one of the beasts
shied and refused to go on ; whereupon
the carrier seized the mule by the harness
in order to make it move on to the
bridge, but this he could not do because
the harder he pulled it forward the more
the mule hung back. The carrier began
to be enraged and to beat the mule,
which hung back worse than ever; and
when he had had enough of this he took
the stick which he used in tying his
bales, and beat the mule on belly, back,
and ribs, venting all his rage upon the
beast. In a very short time he broke
the stick over its back ; whereupon the
mule became tractable and crossed the
bridge, and the carrier made it go back-
wards and forwards several times. As

190 THE FIFTH DAY.

soon as the fellow saw that the mule
was freed of this untoward humour, he
went about his business.'

When Ciucolo saw how the carrier
had dealt with his mule, he went his
way, saying to himself, * Now I know
what it behoves me to do ; ' and in this
mood he hurried back to his house ; and
his wife, as soon as he entered, began to
scold and to heap abuse upon him, and
to ask wherefore he had been so long
away. The' husband let her go on,
keeping perfectly quiet, while she let
her rage still boil. Then he said to her,
* Hold your peace, or you will get what
you will not like.' ' Hoity toity ! ' cried
the wife. c Have you plucked up cour-
age enough to lay hands on me ? You
would rue the day in sooth when you
did that.' The husband replied, * Take
care how you provoke me, or you may
smart for it.' The woman said, ' If I
thought that a single hair of your body
harboured such a thought I would send
to my brothers, who would give you

THE SECOND NOfEL. 191

such a handling that you would not
laugh again in a hurry ; and again, can-
not you see what would happen to you
in consequence of what you have said to
me ? ' The husband cried, c You are a
fiend indeed ! ' and then he got up and
beat her soundly, while she bawled out
and made a great uproar. Then he
caught up a stick and chased her round
the house, giving it to her soundly again
and again over the shoulders and arms
and head, and when the stick was broken
he took another. At last she began to
cry mercy, whereupon he beat her harder
than ever, crying out, £ In faith, I have
a great mind to kill you.' Then the
wife, perceiving what her husband's mood
was, and feeling herself bruised all over,
fell on her knees and cried, f Husband,
husband ! give over beating me, and you
will never find me ill-tempered again.'

Thereupon the husband, to expel en-
tirely the angry humour from her brain,
made her trot round the room several
times, holding over her the while the for-

192 THE FIFTH DAY.

midable stick. And the business came
to such a happy issue that the wife took
thought of only such things as would
please her husband, and became the most
gentle and submissive wife in the whole
of Rome. In this fashion Ciucolo drove
the ill-humour out of his wife's head, and
whereas up to this time he had known
nothing but discord and ill-fortune with
his wife, for the future they lived in har-
mony and love. Now if any man should
be tied to a cross-grained wife, let him
take pattern from Ciucolo, as he took it
from the carrier."

The story being finished, Frate Au-
retto said, "The cure of Ciucolo worked
well, and assuredly it is one of the best
there is in the world for a man to employ
who may have a scolding wife. But as
it is my turn to sing a canzonet, I will
sing it forthwith in order to acquit my-
self of my debt."

Dear Lord of love, bend thy delightsome bow,
And let her taste the torments that I know,

THE SECOND NOI/EL. 193

Now I beseech thee in thy mercy heal

The wounds which she my inmost heart has

dealt ;

Now let her all thy power and lordship feel,
And may she mourn the dole that Dido felt,
That flame in which by day, by night, I melt.
Pity, oh, pity, Lord, on me bestow !

O heart of marble, diamond, or stone !

0 woman who wouldst wear the serpent's mien !
Now goest thou deaf and shamed, with head cast

down,
For that thy cruelty thy bane hath been.

1 would that thou the light hadst never seen,
And that thy heart should feel my bitter woe.

If thou the blossom of thy days let fade

Without the pricking of love's pleasant pain,

Nor let thy debt of favour be repaid

To me, thy slave, whilst thou of youth art fain,
The passing days shall bring revenge amain,
And I shall see if thou art kind or no.

My song, if thou be wise thy tale to tell,
I soon shall know if I shall favour find.

But creep into her heart, and house thee well.
Ah me ! couldst thou but say if she be kind,
If she to ease my sorrow be inclined,
And solace on my longing vain bestow.

194 THE FIFTH DAY.

As soon as this love-song was finished
the two lovers took each other by the
hand and gave mutual thanks. Then
they bade farewell with gracious reve-
rences, and each one went happily away.

£ titb

NOVEL I.

fHesser &Iano, a learneb factor af Pan's, foent
to tfje court of Home ant took up his resi=
bence tit a conuent of monks as a seruant.
It chanceb that tf)e ^opc conbokeb a consts=
torg to refute t^c subtlkies of fHesser ©tofaan
^t'ero, anotljcr boctor of Paris, anb a noteb
fjeretfc ; faohereupon fflesser 9llana, ftabfng en=
teteb the chamber unbcr the abbot's cope, took
part m the btspute. f^oto he mabe Ijfmsclf
knofom there, anb hoto he confounbeb the 0p=
posing boctor.

HEN, on the sixth day, the
two lovers returned to their
accustomed meeting-place,
Saturnina began to speak
merrily and said, " Since I am bound
to act the story-teller to-day, I will
197

198 THE SIXTH DAY.

tell you a tale which I think will please
you.

Not long ago there lived in Paris two
distinguished and worthy men, doctors
of the two great faculties of the law, the
one called Messer Alano, the other
Messer Giovan Piero ; and in sooth the
whole of Christendom in those days did
not hold two men of greater distinction
than these. They were always on ill
terms one with the other, but Messer
Alano always prevailed in argument,
seeing that he was the finest rhetorician
in the world and had a better under-
standing than Messer Giovan Piero, who,
moreover, was a heretic, and would often
have brought confusion upon the faith
had it not been for Messer Alano, who
came to the rescue thereof and replied
to all Messer Giovan Piero's conten-
tions. And it came to pass in the course
of time that Messer Alano was minded
to go to Rome to see the sacred relics,
and the Holy Father and his court ;
wherefore, having set out from his home

THE FIRST NOYEL. 199

with divers attendants and well equipped,
he went to Rome. He saw the Pope
and his court, and how it was ruled, and
was greatly astonished at what he be-
held, for he had deemed that the court
of Rome must needs be the foundation
of the faith and the prop of Christianity,
but he found it to be the most infamous
and full of simony. For this reason he
left the city, and resolved to have done
with worldly life and to devote himself
to God's service.

When he had departed from Rome
and was journeying with his servants, he
said to them as they were passing near
to San Chirico di Rosena, ' Go in ad-
vance and secure lodging at the inn, and
leave me to follow at leisure.' The
servants went on to San Chirico, and as
soon as Messer Alano saw that they
were out of sight he left the road and
kept his way towards the mountains, and
at the end of his day's journey halted
for the night at a shepherd's hut. Mes-
ser Alano dismounted and lay there the

2OO THE SIXTH DAY.

night, and in the morning said to the
shepherd, 1 1 would fain leave with you
my clothes and this horse, and that you
should give me your raiment in ex-
change/ The shepherd, deeming that
his guest was jesting, said, { Messere, I
have given you the best cheer I could ;
I pray you will not make game of me.'
But Messer Alano stripped off his
clothes, and made the shepherd do the
like. Then he handed over his horse
and all he had, and, having taken the
shepherd's flask and garments and shoes,
he set forth at a venture. His servants,
when they had waited long for his re-
turn, began to search for him in vain ;
wherefore they believed, the roads be-
ing there somewhat unsafe, that he had
been robbed and murdered, and, having
sought him for some days, they departed
and returned to Paris.

Meantime, Messer Alano, having left
the shepherd, reached that evening an
abbey in Maremma, and upon his beg-
ging bread in God's name, the abbot

THE FIRST NOVEL 2OI

asked if he was minded to tarry with the
other monks. He replied that he was ;
whereupon the abbot inquired what he
could do. Messer Alano answered, * Sig-
nor, I shall be able to do whatsoever
you may teach me.' It seemed to the
abbot that this was a good fellow, so he
took him in and set him to fetch wood.
The new-comer bore himself so well that
all the inmates of the monastery liked
him, because he did willingly as he was
bid. He did not cry out that shame
was put upon him, or feign that he was
aweary, but he lent a hand to whatever
task there was to do. When the abbot
saw his tractable nature he made him
the overseer of the monastery, not know-
ing who he was, and gave him the name
of Benedetto. The rule of his life was
to fast entirely four days in every week ;
he never undressed, but passed the
greater part of every night in prayer.
He was never wroth anent anything
which might be said or done to him, but
praised Christ without ceasing. He set

202 THE SIXTH DAY.

his mind on serving God in this wise ;
wherefore the abbot gave him all his
goodwill and held him very dear.

It happened that when his servants
returned to Paris, and brought word that
Messer Alano was dead, all the men of
worth and worship raised great lamen-
tation, deeming that they had lost the
most illustrious teacher in all the world.
But as soon as Messer Giovan Piero
knew that Messer Alano was dead, his
spirits rose mightily, and he said, f To-
day I can do that which I have so long
desired to do.' Then he set his affairs
in order, and went to Rome ; and, hav-
ing arrived there, he proposed in con-
sistory a question greatly inimical to
our faith, desiring and striving to bring
heresies into the Church by his subtle
arguments. On this account the Pope
let summon the cardinals, who deter-
mined to send for all the illustrious
scholars of Italy to a consistory, which
the Pope was minded to hold in order
to refute the contentions against the faith

THE FIRST NOYEL. 203

which Messer Giovan Piero had ad-
vanced. And then ail the bishops and
the abbots, and the other chief prelates,
who had been summoned by decree,
were cited to come into the court, and
with the rest came that same abbot with
whom Messer Alano had taken service.
When the abbot had prepared for his
journey to Rome it chanced that Messer
Alano heard whither he was bound,
whereupon he begged the abbot of his
kindness to take him also. Then said
the abbot, c What would you do there,
you who know not how to read ?
There you will find assembled the most
learned men in the world, who only dis-
course with one another in learned speech,
so you would not understand a word of
what was going on.' Messer Alano re-
plied, ' Messere, at least I should behold
the Pope, whom I have never yet seen,
nor do know what his seeming may be.'
The abbot, when he saw what Bene-
detto's desire was, said, c I will allow
you to go ; but do you know how to

204 THE SIXTH DAY.

manage a horse ? ' and Messer Alano
replied that he did. When the time
had come the abbot set forth and took
with him Messer Alano, and travelled
to Rome, having received notice of what
this consistory was to do, and that every-
one should attend to hear the question
which Messer Giovan Piero was to bring
forward. Messer Alano begged the
abbot to take him to the consistory ;
whereupon the abbot said, * Are you
silly ? Do you imagine that I can take
you there, where will be assembled the
Pope and cardinals and many men of
mark ? ' Messer Alano answered, * I
might get in under your cope, seeing
that I am very small and thin.' The
abbot warned Messer Alano that he
might get well buffeted by the porters
and mace-bearers, but Messer Alano
said he would see to this. When the
abbot arrived at the court there was a
great crowd at the entrance, and on this
account his servant slipped quickly un-
der his mantle, and went in with the

THE FIRST NOVEL.

rest. To the abbot was given a seat
amongst the others according to his rank,
and Messer Alano bestowed himself be-
tween his legs under his mantle, with
his eye at a peep-hole, and on the alert
to hear the question which was to be
put.

After a short time had passed, behold
Messer Giovan Piero entered the con-
sistory and mounted the rostrum in the
presence of the Pope and the cardinals
and all the others, and put forward his
thesis, which he supported by divers
subtle and mischievous pleadings. Mes-
ser Alano knew at once who it was ;
and, when he perceived that no one got
up to answer him, or had courage enough
to meet him in argument, he thrust his
head out of the opening in the abbot's
mantle, and cried aloud, ( Giube,' 1 where-
upon the abbot raised his hand and dealt
him a sound buffet, saying, ' Keep quiet,
and bad luck to you ! Would you
bring shame upon me ? ' All those sit-

1 An expression used in begging leave to speak.

206 THE SIXTH DAY.

ting near at once looked one at the other,
saying, f Whence came that voice ? ' and
Messer Alano after a little thrust forth
his head again, and cried, f Sanctissime
•pater •, audiatis me ; ' whereupon the ab-
bot felt the blame must fall upon him,
forasmuch as everyone looked at him,
saying, * What fellow have you there
beneath your mantle ? ' The abbot re-
plied that it was a half-witted convert of
his, and then they all began to abuse
him, crying out, f Why do you bring
madmen into the consistory ? ' And
when they had brought in the mace-
bearers to beat them, and to put them
forth, Messer Alano, fearing lest he
should be beaten, sprang out from under
the abbot's mantle, and, passing through
the bishops, went to the feet of the Pope
himself. Then a great laugh arose from
all, and the abbot came near to be driven
out of the consistory because he had
brought this fellow in ; and when Mes-
ser Alano had come to the footstool of
the Pope, he begged leave to speak his

THE FIRST NOVEL, 207

mind upon the question in hand, which
favour the Pope granted to him.

Messer Alano went up into the ros-
trum and gave a version of all Messer
Giovan Piero had said, and then he went
on from point to point, bringing the
question to an issue by valid and natural
arguments, whereupon all the assembly
began to marvel at the excellent Latin
he spoke, and at the fine reasoning he
used in dealing with the matter ; so that
everyone declared that this must be a
messenger of God who had come among
them. The Pope, when he heard such
eloquence, gave thanks to God, and
Messer Giovan Piero, being quite con-
founded by his opponent, became as one
dazed, and cried, c Certes, you must be
the spirit of Messer Alano, or some evil
demon.' Then Messer Alano replied,
c I am that Alano who has at other times
put you to silence ; you yourself are
the evil demon who is striving to bring
divisions into the Church.' Then said
Messer Giovan Piero, c If I had thought

208 THE SIXTH DAY.

that you could possibly be living I would
never have come hither.' The Pope
desired to know who this man might be,
and caused the abbot to be summoned,
and then he demanded of him how the
fellow came to be with him. The abbot
said, ( Most holy father, I have always
regarded him as one converted by me
some time ago. For my part, I never
suspected that he could even read, see-
ing that I never before knew so humble-
minded a man. He has always worked
hard in cutting wood, or sweeping the
convent, or making the beds, or tending
the sick, or managing the horses. I
regarded him as a good-natured simple-
ton.'

The Pope, when he heard of the holy
life of Messer Alano, and perceived what
a worthy man he was, desired to make
him a cardinal, knowing also what his
past had been, and desiring to pay him
the highest honour. He said, c Had it
not been for you, the Church of God
would have fallen into grievous error,

THE FIRST NOVEL. 209

wherefore I desire that you abide here
at our court.' But Messer Alano an-
swered, f Most holy father, I am minded
to live and die in a life of contemplation,
and to have done with the world ; there-
fore I would fain go back with the abbot
to the monastery. There I would con-
tinue the life I have begun, and wait
ever on the service of God.' The abbot
fell down at Messer Alano's feet, beg-
ging his pardon, forasmuch as he had
not recognized him, and especially with
regard to the box on the ear which he
had given him. Messer Alano answered,
f No pardon is needful in such a case,
seeing that it is the father's duty to cor-
rect the son.' Then the abbot and
Messer Alano took leave of the Pope
and cardinals, and went back to the mon-
astery. And henceforth the abbot held
him in the highest honour, and he passed
there a holy and seemly life, compiling
and completing divers excellent books
concerning our faith. As long as he
lived in this world his life was so fault-

210 THE SIXTH DAY.

less that at the end thereof he attained
the reward and the glory of the life
eternal."

NOVEL II.

terri&Ie ooom tofjid) Bernano Uiscontf, Duke
of fHilan, foroutjfjt upon ^mbrogio, one of
fjta courtiers, ana upon a minor friar.

S soon as Saturnina had come
to the end of her novel, Frate
Auretto began : " Of a truth
your story was a marvellously
fine one, and diverting and pious as
well ; indeed it pleased me as greatly
as any other I ever listened to. And
now I will tell one to you, which, what
though it be not so good as yours, may
still, I think, give you some pleasure.

In days past there lived in Milan a
citizen named Ambrogio, who was the
foremost personage at the court of his
sovereign, Messer Bernabo Visconti, and
the one enjoying the greatest favour and
holding in his heart almost all the se-

THE SECOND NOI/EL. 2 I I

crets of the lord aforesaid. Now this
Ambrogio possessed a residence near to
Milan which adjoined the property of a
widow lady named Madonna Scotta, and
to this house of his he desired to add a
garden ; but he had not the land there-
for. Wherefore he addressed the lady,
begging her to sell him what land he
required, for which he would pay its due
value. But the lady replied that she
was not minded to part with a single
yard of her land, because it was her
dowry, nor to minish or mar her estate
to accommodate anyone. On this ac-
count he tried to persuade her again and
again, and let others beg and entreat her
persistently on his behalf, being willing
to give for the land more than it was
worth ; but the lady, who had begun by
saying no, refused to alter her tone.
Then Ambrogio, seeing how determined
she was, and brooding over this affair,
took of the lady's land as much as a
bushel of corn would seed, and set up
boundary marks, and made thereof a

THE SIXTH DAY.

garden. The lady, when she saw what
was done, began to weep and lament,
and having gone to a friar minor who
was her father confessor, and through
whose counsel she ruled her life, she told
him all that had come to pass.

The friar was in the lady's interest,
and hostile to Ambrogio, because in
times past he had been jealous of him ;
wherefore he said to her, in no righteous
spirit, but rather hoping to work mis-
chief, that she had better leave this af-
fair in his hands. The lady replied that
she would do whatsoever he might wish,
neither less nor more, as is the way with
women, who, as soon as they become
widows, at once fall under the yoke of
the religious orders. It happened one
day the friar found out that Messer Ber-
nabo, in a very ill humour, was making
a progress through the land ; whereupon
he and the widow threw themselves upon
his horse's reins, and the crafty friar
cried out, f My lord duke, I know how
you are kind and pitiful to widows and

THE SECOND NOfEL. 21$

helpless children, and on this account I
beg you be pleased to listen to what
this widowed woman has to say.' Mes-
ser Bernabo stopped his horse, and the
lady said, weeping the while, ' My lord,
see that justice be done to me, inasmuch
as that courtier of yours has seized a por-
tion of my land.' The duke, when he
beheld the sorrow of the lady, turned to
one of his squires and said, ( Remind me
of this when we shall have returned
home ; ' and when he dismounted from
his horse he sent for this Ambrogio, and
inquired of him if he had really taken
any land from this lady. Ambrogio re-
plied that he had. Then Messer Ber-
nabo" made all his people mount, and he
himself got on his horse, and he took
Ambrogio with him, saying, * I am
minded to see this land.'

When they came to the place in ques-
tion the duke called Ambrogio and said,
f Now tell me where the bounds between
your land and the lady's formerly stood.'
Whereupon Ambrogio showed him the

214 THE SIXTH DAY.

place, and said, ' Signer, here it ran, and
so much of land I took from her.' Then
Messer Bernabo made them bring a
spade and a mattock, and bade Ambro-
gio dig a trench where ran the boundary
between the lady's land and his own.
Ambrogio began to dig, and made a
deep trench, Messer Bernabo standing
above him the while ; and, when he had
dug the same deep enough, the duke
bade his people seize him and plant him
as if he were a tree in the trench, with
his head downwards. He forbade any-
one to touch the wretched man, and took
his way back, leaving this dead body
planted to serve as a boundary post.
This deed caused great commotion, and
the friar was severely blamed thereanent,
and the lady also, but no charge was laid
against the friar. It came to pass in the
same year that the general assembly of
the friars minor was held in Milan, and
all the conventual brothers came together
there, and sent word to the duke, letting
him know that the season of the assem-

THE SECOND NO^EL. 21$

bly was drawing nigh, and beseeching
his kind offices, for the reason that, ow-
ing to the vast numbers who would be
present, they would be in want of many
things. They therefore begged his as-
sistance, commending themselves to his
favour by the love of God.

As soon as Messer Bernabo had lis-
tened to the message of these friars he
answered and said, f Go, in God's name,
and I will inform you by a messenger
of my own what I may be willing to do.'
Whereupon the friars went away rejoi-
cing. A short time afterwards Messer
Bernabo called a gentleman of the court
and said, f Go to the house of the friars
minor, and tell them from me that I will
see that all their needs shall be provided
for, especially in the matter of women ;
for of these I am certain they will want
more than they now have.' The gen-
tleman went straightway to the friary,
and, having assembled the brothers,
spake thus : f The duke, Messer Ber-
nabo, sends answer to you that he will

2l6 THE SIXTH DAY.

provide for all your wants, and especially
in the matter of women, of whom he is
assured that you will want more than
those now about you, seeing that you
are greatly given to women, and those
few will not suffice for your needs.'

Then the friars looked at one another,
and not one of them spake a word, save
that one who had been the cause of Am-
brogio's death, and he said, ' Qui de terra
est, de terra loquitur? No other word
was uttered, and they all dispersed with-
out making further answer to the gen-
tleman. He went back and told to the
duke the message he had spoken. 'And
what answer did they give ? ' the duke
inquired. The gentleman replied that
no one had answered aught save one
friar, who had said, ( §>ui de terra est, de
terra loquitur? Messer Bernabo caused
this friar to be brought before him
straightway ; and, without saying aught
to him, bade them heat red-hot an iron,
and thrust it in at one ear and out at the
other, so that he might never hear more.

THE SECOND NOYEL. 2 I/

The friar lived only a few days and died
in great misery, whereat everyone re-
joiced, seeing that he had been the cause
of Ambrogio's death, as I have already
set forth."

When Auretto had finished his story
the lovely Saturnina began a canzonet,
and sang in this strain :

Love claims your service, lady; so be kind,
With courteous bearing, and with gentle mind.

If thou wouldst win renown with lovers true,
Give thou to pride, or to disdain, no place,

When I approach thy feet with reverence due,
But grant me every courtesy and grace.
So shall I show the world a joyous face,
As thou in me desert and worth shalt find.

Ah, 511 becomes the humour pitiless,

Her who would offer Love her faith and

treasure !

Nurse in thy soul no drop of bitterness ;
Be thy reward of my desert the measure.
Thus wilt thou Love appease, and do his

pleasure,
And work his bidding with obedience blind.

2l8 THE SIXTH DAY.

How many let go by their early prime,

And then for all their wasted seasons grieve !
Who plague their lovers in that golden time,
Yet their own cruelty will not believe !
Seize thou thy chance, and tarry not till eve,
Lady, whose brows with Love's own flowers are
twined.

My song, go serve thou ladies beyond praise,
And use all others with deserved disdain.

But, if one lets you see by wanton ways,
That she of one more bout of love is fain,
Keep ever at her side, and tell her plain
That never was her heart for cruelty designed.

The song being ended the two lovers
cut short their delight and their conver-
sation for that evening, and with due
obeisance thanked one another, praising
the god of love who had brought them
to the enjoyment of this secret pleasure,
and each departing joyful at what fate
had given.

Seventb

Seventh

NOVEL I.

2Tf)e fjorrtble crueltg usefc feg JFrancesco

tofoartis SLfeabetta f)ta foife ano otfjer femfolfc,
because of fjer faecomtng enamouteti of a goutfj
nameo i^inaltio ; anli tfje toretc^eo entu of
JKesser ©rstno.

HEN on the seventh day the
two lovers returned to the
parlour where they were wont
to meet, Frate Auretto said :
" As it is my turn to begin to-day, I will
tell you of a cruel deed practised by a
Roman upon his wife.

Not long ago there lived in Rome
a gentleman named Messer Francesco
Orsino da Monte Giordano, who had
to wife a certain Donna Lisabetta, a lady
fair and prudent and of very seemly

221

222 THE SEVENTH DAY.

manners. She had lived with him some
time, and had borne him two sons. But
it chanced that a youth fell in love with
this lady, and she with him ; and, as
they were not wise enough to keep hid-
den their love, Messer Francesco was told
divers times of the same ; but he refused
to believe the report, seeing that the
youth was neither comely, nor well-born,
nor rich, and also because he had shown
himself a friend and follower of the
house. At last the steward saw it with
his own eyes, and informed Messer
Francesco, who said to him, * Go and
place yourself where you can espy him
as he comes in, and then let me know,
for I wish to see for myself; otherwise
I shall never believe,' which thing the
steward promised to do.

One day Messer Francesco made pre-
tence to go to a country house of his,
and took horse with several companions,
but at nightfall he returned to Rome
and lay hid till the steward came and
fetched him. Then Messer Francesco

THE FIRST NOYEL. 22$

beheld the youth wantoning with his
wife in the bedchamber, and saying, what
time he kissed it, { Whose little mouth
is this?' and the lady replied, * It is
thine.' 'And these roguish eyes?'
' They are thine.' ' And these cheeks? '
'They are thine.' 'And this lovely
throat? ' ' It is thine.' c And this fair
bosom ? ' c It is thine.' And thus, as
he touched all the parts of her, she an-
swered that they were his, except her
hinder part, which she gave to her hus-
band. And over this jest they raised a
great laugh. When Messer Francesco
saw and heard what they were doing and
saying, he spake to himself, ' Praised be
God that some part of her is allowed to
me ! ' and, as soon as he had seen all and
more than enough, he went away stealth-
ily back to his country house, where he
remained as long as it pleased him.
When he returned home he caused to be
fashioned for his wife a dress of coarse
cloth, but with the hinder part thereof
made of samite trimmed with ermine,

224 THE SEVENTH DAY.

and likewise let prepare at his country
house a very rich banquet, to which he
invited the youth aforesaid and his two
brothers, and divers of his kinsmen and
associates. Having settled to give the
feast on a certain Sunday morning, Mes-
ser Francesco made his wife put on the
dress he had prepared, and took her
through the streets of Rome. Then he
directed her to repair to his country
house, and join his guests at table, which
thing she did in due course. When
they were all assembled at the banquet,
Messer Francesco placed his wife beside
the youth, who was called Rinaldo, and
then ranged in order all their kinsfolk
and friends, setting before them a fair
and sumptuous banquet.

When the guests beheld in what man-
ner the lady was attired, they were as-
tonished, and especially those who were
akin to her and to Rinaldo, and said to
themselves, ( Surely there is some great
matter in hand,' while Rinaldo was
mightily afeared. Then, when they had

THE FIRST NOVEL. 22$

finished their repast, Messer Francesco
said, ( Now I will set before you some
fruit ; ' and, having risen, he first gave to
every one of them at the table a stick, and
then withdrew into a room where he had
in readiness eight of his servants — the
same as the number of the guests — also
armed with sticks. He made these sur-
round the table, and then said to those
who sat thereat, c Defend yourselves ; '
and, having turned to his servants who
stood there sticks in hand, he cried,
1 Now bring out the fruit/ Whereupon
the servants, as they had been com-
manded, overthrew the table and began
to belabour with their sticks the guests
who had been sitting there. With each
party laying about a sharp fray arose,
forasmuch as those at the table, finding
themselves beaten with a will, were
minded to give a proper return to their
assailants. In short, the servants were
so far superior in strength that they beat
down all the guests, and laid them dead
on the floor of the room. Then Messer

226 THE SEVENTH DAY.

Francesco made them take the corpse
of the young man Rinaldo and fasten it
with arms outspread on a crucifix, and
convey it to a room in his house, while
all the other bodies were taken back to
their several homes. This deed caused
great complaint in Rome, on account of
the death of so many worthy citizens, but
no man dare open his mouth thereanent
because the worker of the deed was a
man of power in the city. Every night
Messer Francesco took his wife and
bound her to the corpse of Rinaldo, and
made her remain all night in his em-
braces, and rise therefrom at daybreak.
Every day he gave her naught else but
two slices of bread and a beaker of water,
so that her life might be all the more
wretched. And in this wise she lived
several days, sending constantly to beg
mercy of Messer Francesco, but he was
deaf to her prayers.

Then she, perceiving that she was to
die, and that there was no remedy, prayed
that she might see her children before

THE FIRST NOVEL. 22/

her death ; whereupon they brought her
two sons to her. She took them in her
arms, and weeping plentifully spake to
them these words : c Dearest sons of
mine, I leave you with God's blessing
and my own. You are indeed the sons
of Messer Francesco, born in lawful wed-
lock, but the enmity of one of my ser-
vants has brought me to this pass. And
albeit this excuse of mine be not a valid
one, nevertheless I leave to God and to
you, as my sons, the duty of avenging the
fate of your wretched and unfortunate
mother.' And she could not kiss them
enough, for the anxiety that possessed
her.- Then, after blessing them, she
gave them up to their nurse with these
words : * Take these children whom I
leave you, and, by God's faith and by
your own soul, see that, when they shall
be grown up, you recall my death to
their memory, and especially to this the
younger one,' and this little boy in sooth
wept grievously and would not let him-
self be taken from her neck. When she

228 THE SEVENTH DAY.

had delivered them over, and assured
them that they were lawfully born and
not bastards, she commended her soul
to God, and spake no more in this life,
but died after the lapse of a few days.

They took her body and her lover's
and bore them away, and the cruel deed
was praised by some and blamed by
others ; and it came to pass that the
nurse, when the time was ripe, told the
children the story of their mother's
death ; and the consequence of this reve-
lation was that Messer Francesco lost
his wits, and for a long time went wan-
dering distraught about the world, being
in the most bitter enmity with his sons,
and especially with the younger. Mes-
ser Francesco abode in the woods, sleep-
ing there as if he had been a savage,
working all the crazy antics which mad-
men are wont to practise. And thus
they say the lady's fate was avenged."

THE SECOND NOYEL. 220)

NOVEL II.

fHesset (ialeotto fHalatesta fcf Srtmino causes
©0stan$a Ijis nfece ta be slam barbarously,
as foell as ©rmanno, a ©erman golfcier tofjo
toas foont prtbilg ta fcisit ^er.

S soon as Auretto had finished
his story Saturnina said, "The
deed you have described was
certes a very cruel one, and I
will now tell you of another which was
wrought in Romagna no long time ago."
And she began as follows :

" There lived in Romagna, in the town
of Arimino, a very worthy gentleman
and baron, who was named Messer Gale-
otto Malatesta, who was the most excel-
lent cavalier Romagna had produced for
a very long time, and the wisest and the
most prudent to boot, always passing
his days in splendid and noble fashion,
and maintaining the dignity of his state.
This Messer Galeotto had a certain niece,
a lady named Madonna Gostanza, who

230 THE SEVENTH DAY.

was a widow and the daughter of Messer
Malatesta Unghero de' Malatesti, him-
self a valorous and skilful knight. This
Madonna Gostanza kept in Arimino a
very sumptuous court of ladies and dam-
sels and squires, leading the life of a noble
lady, as in sooth she was. Out of de-
votion to Messer Galeotto the highest
honour was paid to her, and she held
the estates which her father and her hus-
band had left. Indeed, there was not in
all Romagna, nor in Tuscany, nor in the
March, another like her, possessed of
such splendid jewels, or so rich a lady
as she was. In brief, she enjoyed all
the delights that one in her case could
rightly use, and many gifts of nature as
well, forasmuch as she was young, fair,
well-mannered, rich, and highly born.
She was to all seeming prudent in her
carriage, enjoying the esteem of all those
who knew her, and, by marrying her
well, her uncle hoped to make a rich
and noble alliance.

Messer Galeotto had in his pay a cer-

THE SECOND HOVEL.

tain soldier called Ormanno, who was
the leader of fifty lances, a native of the
upper parts of Germany, and sprung
from a town called Cham. He had had
several brothers and brothers' sons, all
knights and gentlemen of ancient lin-
eage, and for this reason he, too, sold
his services. He was courteous and
well-mannered and strong in his person,
wherefore Messer Galeotto held him
in high esteem. It happened that Or-
manno passed divers times by the pal-
ace of Madonna Gostanza while she was
at the window, and, their eyes having
met, Ormanno became hotly enamoured
of her, and he set to work to show him-
self in such wise that the lady's eyes fell
upon him favourably, so that she began
to love him. The love between them
grew so great that they began to ex-
change rich gifts, those of the lady to
her lover being especially sumptuous.
They often had speech together, and a
plan was laid that Ormanno should gain
the reward which love demands above

232 THE SE^EHTH DAY.

all others. But they knew not how to
keep hidden the flame of their ardent
passion, nor to use prudent carriage in
what they did, seeing that love is blind,
and the foes thereof are subtle. And
because Ormanno was known to fre-
quent the lady's palace at unseemly
hours, divers reports of his conduct
came to Messer Galeotto, but he would
not believe them.

At a certain time it came to pass that
the College of Cardinals at Rome under
divine direction elected Urban VI. as
pope, Pope Gregory XI. being dead.
The College of Cardinals, Italian and
Ultramontane as well, made known this
fact to all the sovereigns and communes
of Christendom, how they had elected
Pope Urban VI. ; wherefore Messer
Galeotto, as a son and servant of the
Holy Church, was minded to go and
visit the new pontiff; but, before he set
forth, he sent for Ormanno and thus ad-
dressed him: £It is true I hear that you
frequent the house of my niece Gostanza,

THE SECOND NOfEL. 233

but this I do not believe. However,
be that as it may, I beg you so to bear
yourself that no such rumours may come
to my ears in the future.' Ormanno
replied, c My lord, you will find there
is no truth in this. He who told you
thereof is one evilly disposed towards
me, one who seeks to bring me into ill-
favour. For my part, I am ready to
make good my words upon his own per-
son/ and he went on to excuse himself
over this report. Messer Galeotto an-
swered him, c Ormanno, you are prudent
and have understood my words. I will
say no more, but will leave in your charge
Arimino and all I possess. You shall be
the commander of my men-at-arms un-
til such time as I return from Rome ;
wherefore see that you do naught which
shall deserve my blame when I come
back.' Ormanno replied that he would
observe his charge, and Messer Galeotto
departed for Rome, leaving everything
under Ormanno's guard, as it has been
said. But Ormanno showed no discre-

234 THE SEVENTH DAY.

tion in the pursuit of his passion, and
went constantly to the lady's house, hold-
ing his lord in no respect or reverence,
but following rather the promptings of
his unbridled lust, of which he was the
slave ; and the lady gave him a certain
silver girdle.

Now when Messer Galeotto came
back, word was brought to him how Or-
manno had never ceased to frequent the
house of Madonna Gostanza, and how
this thing was well known to a great
number of the ladies and gentlemen of
Arimino. Messer Galeotto considered
well this report, and secretly set a watch
to see whether it might be true ; and
when Ormanno, who was ignorant of
the watch kept upon him, was seen to
enter the lady's house by night, the
news was forthwith conveyed to Messer
Galeotto, who at once caused the house
to be surrounded by certain soldiers
whom he kept on guard. He charged
them by their lives not to allow Or-
manno to quit the house ; and this com-

THE SECOND NOYEL. 235

mand they duly obeyed. Then he let
summon divers of the citizens, and took
counsel with them as to the affair, and
one advised this course, and the other
that. When it drew near to daybreak,
and Ormanno was minded to quit the
lady's house, he looked and beheld the
soldiers who were posted round the same,
and, turning to the lady, told her what
had happened. Thereupon she arose,
and, having gone to the window, spake
thus : c What is the meaning of this, and
why are these guards set round my house ?
Are you not ashamed thus to post your
soldiers about my doors ? ' And in sooth
these words of hers were the cause of her
death; for, had she not shown herself
at the window, she would not then have
perished, for Messer Galeotto had al-
ready privily determined to save Ma-
donna Gostanza's honour by laying the
fault on one of her waiting-women. But
when it was told to him how she had
appeared at the window, and had spoken
these words, he conferred with a certain

236 THE SEVENTH DAY.

well-advised and valiant gentleman, and,
this done, he called an officer of his foot-
soldiers and said to him, f Go to the
house of my niece, where you will find
her and Ormanno, and straightway hew
them in pieces for me.' The officer,
who was called Santolino da Faenza, re-
plied, * My lord, I will readily do your
bidding with regard to him, but not with
regard to her ; and in sooth you must
excuse me this task, forasmuch as I will
never stain my hand with the blood of
the Malatestas.' Then said Messer Gale-
otto, c Go, then, and kill him.' Where-
upon the officer departed straightway on
his task.

Messer Galeotto then called another
officer and said to him, * Go and hew in
pieces my niece Gostanza,' and the offi-
cer answered that the deed should be
done forthwith, and went to the palace
of Madonna Gostanza. When Santo-
lino came to the door of the chamber he
knocked, and Madonna Gostanza asked
what was his errand. Then said he,

THE SECOND NOfEL. 237

' Open to me, madonna, for I have a
message to deliver on the part of my
master.' Then, when the lady had
opened the door, Santolino asked her
where was Ormanno, but she answered,
c What Ormanno ? ' Santolino said, c To
be brief, madonna, my master knows
that he is here, and has sent me to him
with a message; wherefore let us de-
spatch this business, lest a worse thing
ensue.' The lady said, f You know well
that men are not wont to come here.'
But Santolino told her that, if she did
not at once point out where Ormanno
was, it would fare ill with her. The lady,
hearing him speak in this strain, told
him where Ormanno was ; whereupon
Santolino went and called out, * Or-
manno, I have a message for you on
the part of our master,' and Ormanno
replied, f Say what you will ; ' but San-
tolino went on, ( Let us go into some
private place, for I do not wish to be
overheard,' and when they had gone into
a little room Santolino said, c Ormanno,

238 THE SEVENTH DAY.

you must die ; this is your irrevocable
doom.' Ormanno fell down in a swoon,
but, having come to himself, he said, f Is
there for me no escape from death ? ' and
Santolino replied that there was none,
inasmuch as this matter had been settled
for good and all. Then Ormanno fell
on his knees at Santolino's feet, and,
lifting his hands to heaven, he bowed to
the ground and licked the dust. Then
he put his hands before his eyes that he
might not look upon death, and bent his
head, and Santolino drew his sword, and
in a moment Ormanno lay dead at his
feet.

Now when that other officer, who had
been sent to deal out a similar fate to the
lady, had come into her chamber, he
said, t Madonna, I have a message for
you on the part of my master,' and she,
all dazed, bade him say what he would ;
whereupon he replied, ' Send away all
these maids of yours.' When the lady
had dismissed them, he went to the door,
and, having bolted it, he laid his hand

THE SECOND NOVEL. 239

upon his sword and cried, ' Madonna,
you must die.' The lady set up a ter-
rible crying, and would fain have fled,
but he said, £ Madonna, do not fly; that
will profit you naught ; for our master
has determined that you must die, and
none but God himself can save you.'
The lady cried out, * But is Messer Gale-
otto fain to murder his own flesh and
blood ? ' The officer bade her make
haste, and the lady asked him how he
dared think of shedding the blood of
Messer Malatesta Unghero her father ;
but he replied that he must needs do the
deed which he had been commanded
to do, and that she ought to pardon
him, seeing that he put his hand unwill-
ingly to the same. She cried, ' But is
there no remedy ? ' and he answered that
there was none. Then she knelt before
the altarpiece of Our Lady and spake
thus : * If my brave and high-souled fa-
ther were now alive I should not die in
this base and shameful fashion ; where-
fore I commend to thy keeping, O sweet-

240 THE SEVENTH DAY.

est Virgin Mary, this life and soul of
mine, and the life and soul likewise of
that worthy gentleman who, for my sake,
is fated to undergo torture and death
like mine. And I further beseech thee,
Mother of mercy, to make me brave and
constant to meet death, so that, having
suffered the same patiently, my soul like
that of a martyr may enter into the glory
of your most sacred Son, Jesus Christ.
For I certes have found in this world
little to content me with my lot.'

Then she turned towards the officer,
who was holding his sword aloft, and
said, c Since my vanity has brought me
into this case, I beg you not to hurry
overmuch, but show me a little mercy,
so that I may pray to the Virgin Mary
ten times ; ' and he, pitying her, con-
sented, saying, ( Say your prayers, but
be brief.' Then, as she did reverence
to the Virgin Mary with many tears,
she glanced in terror at the handle of
the sword. Now when she had been
praying a little time, he inquired whether

Gostaiua Praying Before Her
Execution

SECOND NOVEL.

THE SECOND NOfEL. 241

she had finished her devotions, and she
answered no. Then the officer cried
out, c No ! In sooth, I could have said
twenty prayers in this time.' The lady
went on, ' Ah, wretched Gostanza ! to
what strait art thou come ? Oh, blind
Love, why has thou deceived me, and
why am I sent hence with my name
thus defiled ? Would that I had died
ere I was born ! ' The officer deemed
that she delayed overmuch ; therefore
he bade her recite the Ave Maria, which
she did thrice in very devout fashion.
Then he lifted up his sword and smote
her, and thus she died, and fell a corpse
at his feet. Messer Galeotto made his
servants put the two wretched bodies
into one sack, and cast the same into
the sea. Then he made a proclamation
that all those who had any claims upon
this Ormanno should come to him for
satisfaction, and he paid all those to whom
payment was due, and thus he dissolved
the troop of Ormanno, and dismissed it.
For this deed of his Messer Galeotto

242 THE SEVENTH DAY.

was commended by some and blamed
by others."

As soon as the story was finished
Auretto began a canzonet, dealing some-
what with the subject of the novel, after
the following fashion :

Let none serve Love unguardedly, unless
He fain would end his days in wretchedness.

We scan the heroes great of old renown,

Sir Tristan, good Achilles, stout and strong,
Who for love's sake the gift of life laid down ;
Love's pleasures mixed their heartfelt pains

among,

And other names illustrious in a throng,
Who sank their fame in guilty love's excess.

And weakest he who knows Love's craft the best,

For all at last will fall into his snare.
Reft of his wings was Virgil love-possessed,
And other famous singers, skilled and rare,
Found scant protection in their thought and

care,
And fell the victims of his artfulness.

Let all who in love's service take their part,

Be warned by Gostanza's woeful fate.
Let not thy darling leman snare thy heart,

THE SECOND NOVEL. 243

By wanton geste or glance importunate.
Thus hope is wrecked, and counsel comes too

late,
For those who fail in care and watchfulness.

To lovers true, my song, now take thy wing,
And bid them tread in sober honest ways,
And charge them when they feel the rapturous

sting

Of love, and fain would wander in his maze,
That they be prudent, and be sure always
Keep rein in hand, and headlong speed repress.1

When the song was finished the two
lovers brought for that day their gentle
discourse to a close ; and, having taken
each other by the hand and greeted with
merry words and with courteous reve-
rence, they saluted and said farewell, each
one departing gladsome and content.

1 This canzonet is a good example of Dante's in-
fluence upon the writer.

"e vidi V grande Achille,
Che ftr amore alfine combatteo.
Vidi Paris, Tristano. E piit di mille
Ombre mostrommi, e nominolle a dito,
CK Amor di nostra vita dipartille."

Inferno, v.

Eigbtb Bap,

jetgbtb

NOVEL I.

tije parties of tfje ©uelfs ant ©fjibellines
arose, anfc ftofo tfje accursefc seefc of strife foas
first soton antj began to spring in JEtalg.

HEN on the eighth day the
lovers sought their accus-
tomed meeting-place, Satur-
nina began and said : " As
it is my turn to-day, I am minded that
we enter into consideration of a moral
and lofty theme ; therefore I will relate
to you how the Guelf and Ghibelline
parties first arose, and how this accursed
seed of discord came into our land and
grew up." And thus she began :

"In Germany at one time there lived
two gentlemen who held one another in
247

248 THE EIGHTH DAY.

the dearest friendship. They were no-
bly born, and possessed of great wealth,
and dwelt within a mile's distance of
each other, the one being named Guelf,
and the other Ghibelline. On a certain
day it came to pass that, as they were
coming back from the chase, a quarrel
arose between them on account of a cer-
tain bitch ; and, as they had up to this
time been friends and close companions,
so they now became bitter foes, and used
every occasion they could find to work
ill one to another. So great did the dis-
cord between them wax that they both
of them sent out invitations to their sev-
eral friends, and gathered together large
companies of the same, in order that they
might wage war together. So widely did
this scandal spread, that in the course of
time it came about that all the nobles
and barons of Germany were divided
into opposing factions on this account ;
for the reason that some of them would
hold to the side of the Guelfs and others
to that of the Ghibellines ; wherefore it

THE FIRST NOfEL. 249

happened every year that many men on
the one side or the other lost their lives.
Now at a certain time the Ghibelline
chief found himself fiercely attacked by
the Guelf, and, it seeming to him that
his adversary was far more potent than
himself, he appealed to the Emperor
Frederic I., who was then ruling, for his
protection. On account of this, Guelf,
seeing that Ghibelline had placed him-
self under the Emperor Frederic's pro-
tection, straightway sent letters to the
Pope Honorius II., who was at that
time at enmity with the emperor, en-
treating his good offices against his foe,
and letting him know how the matter
stood. Thus the pope, when he under-
stood how the emperor had taken up
the cause of Ghibelline, at once ranged
himself on the side of Guelf. And from
this cause it happens that the holy see
is Guelf, and the empire Ghibelline, and
thus the origin of the Guelf and Ghibel-
line factions is to be found in this ac-
cursed bitch.

250 THE EIGHTH DAY.

It was in the year of Christ MCCXV
that the seed of dissension aforemen-
tioned was first sown in Italy in this
wise. At this time it chanced that the
Podesta of Florence was a certain Mes-
ser Guido Orlandi (and in sooth the of-
fice of Podesta of Florence is a great
and noble one). Amongst the members
of the house of the Buondelmonti there
was a gentleman who was called by name
Messer Buondelmonte, and he was of
a most seemly presence, wealthy, and
of great valour. Now this said Messer
Buondelmonte had sworn troth with a
maiden of the family of the Amidei to
make her his wife, and had joined hands
with her, and had confirmed his prom-
ises with all those solemnities which
rightly belong to such occasions. One
day when Messer Buondelmonte was
passing by the house of the Donati, a
certain lady, who was called by name
Madonna Lapacia, saw him and called
out to him, and said, ( Messere Buon-
delmonte, I am indeed greatly aston-

THE FIRST NOVEL 251

ished that you should so far disgrace
yourself by choosing for your wife one
who is not fit to take ofF your shoes.
Now I have been keeping a daughter of
mine for you, and I am fain that you
should come and see her.' Thereupon
she called for her daughter, whose name
was Ciulla, a maiden as graceful and fair
as any one in Florence, and let Messer
Buondelmonte look upon her, and said,
'This is she whom I have been keep-
ing for you.' Whereupon Messer Buon-
delmonte, after he had gazed upon the
maiden's beauty, became enamoured of
her, and said, c Madonna, I am quite pre-
pared to do whatsoever you may desire ; '
and, before he went his way from thence,
he had taken the maiden as his wife, and
had given her the ring in token of the
deed. Now when it became known to
the Amidei that Messer Buondelmonte
had taken to wife another woman, and
would have naught to do with the maiden
of their house, they all gathered together
and took counsel with all their other

252 THE EIGHTH DAY.

kinsfolk, and with their friends as well,
to devise some plan whereby they might
wreak their vengeance upon Messer
Buondelmonte for the ill deed that he
had done.

To this council came Lambertuccio
Amidei and Schiatta Ruberti and Mosca
Lamberti, and divers others besides.
The advice of one was that they should
give him a sound beating, of another
that someone should wound him in the
face, and this man counselled one thing,
and that man another. At last Mosca
Lamberti stood up and said, * A thing
well done is done for good ; ' meaning by
this to let them understand that a dead
man would never again go to the wars.
On this account it was determined that
Messer Buondelmonte should be slain,
and this counsel they put into execu-
tion. When Messer Buondelmonte was
returning on Easter morning from break-
fasting at the house of the Bardi, which
lay on the other side of the Arno, he
was mounted upon a white horse with-

THE FIRST NOVEL. 253

out spot, and wore himself a white cloak.
When he came to the foot of the Ponte
Vecchio, where there stood the statue of
Mars which the Florentines were wont
to worship what time they were pagans,
and where at this time is the fish-mar-
ket, a troop of assailants sprang upon
him from behind, and seized him and
dragged him from his horse to the
ground, and there they put an end to
his life.1

The whole of Florence at once was
filled with uproar on account of Messer
Buondelmonte's death, and by reason
of this homicide there arose a division
amongst all the noble families and houses
of Florence. Those who took the side
of the Buondelmonti made themselves

1 " O Buondelmonte, quanta mal fuggisti
Le nozze sue per gli altrui conforti !
Mold sarebber lieti che son tristi,
Se Dio t'avesse conceduto ad Etna
La prima volta ch1 a citta venisti.
Ma conveniasi a quella pietra scema
Che guarda V ponte, che Fiorenza fesse
Vittima net la sua pace postrema."

DANTE, Paradiso, xvi.

254 THE EIGHTH DAY.

the heads of the Guelf party in the city,
and those who favoured the cause of the
Amidei became the leaders of theGhibel-
lines. The names of those who held to
the Guelfs were as follows : the Buondel-
monti, the Nerli, the Jacopi, the Dati,
the Rossi, the Bardi, the Frescobaldi,
the Mozzi, the Pulci, the Gherardini, the
Foraboschi, the Bagnesi, the Guidalotti,
the Sacchetti, the Manieri, the Da Quona,
the Luccardesi, the Chiaramontieri, the
Cavalcanti, the Compiombesi, the Gian-
donati, the Scali, the Gianfigliazzi, the
Importuni, the Bosticchi, the Torna-
quinci, the Vecchietti, the Tosinghi, the
Arigucci, the Agli, the Adimari, the Bis-
domini, the Tedaldi, the Cerchi, the
Donati, the Arighi, and those of the
Delia Bella family. All these noble
families, together with certain of the
townsfolkjoined themselves to the Guelf
party on account of the death of Messer
Buondelmonte. And those who became
of the Ghibelline faction were as follows :
the Uberti, the Amidei (and the chief of

THE FIRST NOVEL. 2$$

them were the Counts of Gangalandi),
Ubriachi, Manelli, Fifanti, Infangati,
Malespini, and those of the house of
Volognana ; the Scolari, the Guidi, the
Galli, the Capiardi, the Lamberti, the Sol-
danieri, the Cipriani, the Toschi, the
Amieri, the Palermini, the Migliorelli,
the Pigli — what though some of the last-
named subsequently became Guelfs —
the Barucci, the Catani, and the Catani
of Castiglione, the Agolanti, the Brunel-
leschi — who also became Guelfs after-
wards— the Caponsacchi, the Elisei, the
Abati, the Tedaldini, the Giuochi, and
the Galigai. All these became Ghibel-
lines on account of the death of Messer
Buondehnonte, and from this one quar-
rel arose the factions which parted and
divided all the nobles and the people
of Italy, and sowed thus widely this evil
seed. And all the Guelfs took the part
of the Holy See, while the Ghibellines
held to the Emperor. So now you have
heard how in Germany the strife between
the Guelfs and Ghibellines began on ac-

256 THE EIGHTH DAY.

count of a bitch, and later on in Italy on
account of a woman, as I have set forth
in the foregoing story."

NOVEL II.

tfje eitleli ©fjfbellmess of ^Florence retttrneti
tfjttfjer, anli fcrobe out tfje (Suelfs, anfc faitfj
fofjat subtletg tfjejj co^eneli tfje people of
^Florence.

IHEN Frate Auretto perceiv-
ed that Saturnina's novel had
come to an end, he said, " For-
asmuch as you have begun to
deal with themes of this character, I will
tell you in what manner the Ghibellines,
having been banished Florence, returned
to the city and chased out the Guelfs,
and how they put a crafty cheat upon
the Florentines. For some long time
after the Ghibellines had been driven
away from Florence they abode in Siena
and harried the Florentine territory, hav-
ing been reinforced by eight hundred
Germans of the army of King Manfred,

THE SECOND NOVEL. 257

all stout men-at-arms. It came to pass
that Messer Farinata degli Uberti and
Messer Gherardo Lamberti, the chiefs
of the exiled Ghibellines, took counsel
together how they might dupe the com-
mune of Florence, and, being cautious
men and well versed in stratagem, they
called for two lusty friars of the order
of St. Francis, and thus addressed them :
f We desire that you go to Florence to
the chiefs of the government, and tell
them, on behalf of seven of the chief
citizens of Siena, that if they are willing
to send ten thousand florins, Siena will
be given over to them.' The friars re-
plied that they were willing to go, but
first they desired to see the seven citizens
aforesaid. This done, they would set
forth. Messer Farinata and Messer
Gherardo agreed to this, and they like-
wise made known to the seven Sienese
citizens what it was they were minded to
do ; and, having come to a secret agree-
ment with them, they again sought the
friars, and told them how these seven

258 THE EIGHTH DAY.

citizens aforesaid were ill-content with
the government of Messer Provenzano
Salvani, who then ruled Siena, and would
liefer live under the sway of Florence.
Then the two friars took the letters of
introduction, under the seals of the citi-
zens aforesaid, and went to Florence ;
where, having enlisted the favour of the
priors, they thus began to speak : f Sig-
nors, we are come hither for the sake of
the honour and glory and increase of
this commonwealth, and we have certain
private matters to reveal.'

On account of the mission of the
friars the signory chose two citizens to
hear their story and confer with them,
Messer Giovanni Calcani and the deputy
of the Porta San Piero.1 These, after
conferring with the friars, understood
that certain citizens had authorized these
men to give up Siena to Florence ; where-
upon the friars went on to suggest that

1 Orig., " lo Spedito di porta San Piero." Villani
(viii. 2) writes of him as " huomo di grande opera et
ardire, et era il detto Spedito de' principals guidatori del
popolo"

THE SECOND NOfEL. 259

the commune of Florence should equip
a large body of men and make pretence
of relieving Montalcino, and come to a
halt at the river Arbia, about four miles
from Siena, and remain there until these
citizens should give into their hands the
gate leading to Arezzo, called the Porta
Santa Vieni ; but first of all the com-
mune must deposit with them ten thou-
sand florins. The friars showed them
the sealed letters and the authority which
they bore ; wherewith the two citizens
aforesaid were fully satisfied, and forth-
with gave in deposit the ten thousand
florins. They next let assemble the
council, which contained divers noble
citizens who were skilled captains in war,
and they put before the same a petition
that, for the welfare and honour of the
state, they would be pleased to throw
supplies into Montalcino. Whereupon
the Count Guido Guerra rose and affirmed
that it was in no way expedient to do
this, forasmuch as he himself had wit-
nessed the ill-starred attempt made ear-

260 THE EIGHTH DAY.

Her in the year by the Florentines against
Santa Petronella ; then they must con-
sider the fresh troop of Germans which
King Manfred had sent to aid the Ghi-
bellines, and he concluded by saying that
the people of Orvieto could relieve Mon-
talcino with little cost. So that, weigh-
ing each argument, he must oppose the
despatch of the expedition. Next rose
Messer Teghiaio Aldobrandi, who also
demurred to the proposition, adducing
many reasons for his opinion ; but to
him the deputy of the Porta San Piero,
a man full of conceit, made answer and
said, that if Messer Teghiaio were
afeared he had better look in his breeches.
Messer Teghiaio replied, f You will
never dare to follow me into the battle.'
When he sat down Messer Cece Gherar-
dini rose and began to give counsel sim-
ilar to Count Guide's ; whereupon the
signory bade him hold his peace under
a penalty of a hundred lire — a fine which
he at once offered to pay as the price of
free speech. Then they charged him to

THE SECOND NOVEL. 261

keep silent or pay two hundred, and
again he was ready to pay the money.
They raised the fine to three hundred,
and got the same answer ; whereupon
they commanded him to cease speaking
under pain of losing his head, and this
reduced him to silence. In such fashion
it was settled by the people of Florence
that the enterprise should be undertaken
forthwith.

Thereupon they called out the people
of Lucca, who lived under their free
commune, of Bologna, Pistoia, Prato,
San Miniato, Colle, and San Gimignano ;
and, besides these, the greater part of
the populace and of the noble families
of Florence, horse and foot, went forth
to battle, taking with them with great
ceremony the Carroccio, and the bell
which they called Martinella, mounted
upon a chariot and on a wooden tower.
So they marched until they came into
the territories of Siena by the river Arbia,
at a place known as Monte Aperti.
There they found the forces of Orvieto

262 THE EIGHTH DAY.

and Perugia who had come to support
those of Florence, and there were three
thousand knights as well as three thou-
sand men-at-arms and three thousand
foot-soldiers in the field. Now it hap-
pened that the aforesaid chiefs of the
conspiracy, Messer Farinata and Messer
Gherardo, had in the meantime de-
spatched to Florence certain other friars,
who entered into relations with some of
the Ghibellines of the city to help for-
ward the affair, and these two friars be-
took themselves to the camp with the
other Florentines on the hill of Monte
Aperti, waiting until the traitors should
deliver over the gate which had been
promised. Then a Ghibelline of Flor-
ence, named Razante, having heard that
a Ghibelline plot was being hatched in
Siena, betook himself thither, with the
assent of the other Ghibellines who were
in the camp, to tell the exiled Floren-
tines in Siena in what fashion their plot
was being carried out. When he had
come there he spake in this wise to Mes-

THE SECOND NOYEL 263

ser Farinata and Messer Gherardo, who
answered saying, < If you let this story
of yours be known in Siena it will be the
ruin of us ; forasmuch as the Sienese, if
they should hear thereof, would be
afeared, and would not fight ; and it will
be better for us to fight now that we
have these eight hundred Germans, and
to stake all on this venture rather than
to go on ranging the world as beggars.
For this reason we beg you to let circu-
late a story exactly opposite to this one
of yours, which thing you will know how
to do.' Razante, having heard their
speech, said, l Leave the affair in my
hands.'

Razante put upon his head a wreath
of olive, and, having gone into the par-
liament where all the Sienese were met
together, said, 1 1 come from the Floren-
tine camp, on behalf of all the Ghibel-
lines who are there, to tell you that the
army is ill led and full of discord ; where-
fore, smite boldly, and you will gain the
day.' Straightway a great commotion

264 THE EIGHTH DAY.

arose in the city, and all men took up
arms, and they sent to the front the eight
hundred Germans, the people and the
cavaliers following crying out, c To death,
to death ! ' And when the Florentine
host perceived this army moving so sud-
denly against them with the intention of
giving battle, they said, ' We are be-
trayed,' and attempted to form battle
array ; but divers Ghibellines who were
in the camp fled and joined the Sienese.
And when the Germans had come where
the great mass of the Florentine forces
were, Messer Bocca degli Uberti fell
upon Messer Jacopo dei Pazzi, who bore
in his hand the standard, and cut off his
hand in which he held the same1 — a trai-
tor's act, indeed, seeing that Bocca be-
longed to Pazzi's company. As soon
as the Florentines beheld the fall of the
standard, and knew that they were be-
trayed, they suddenly broke and fled.
Then the Germans fell upon them and
did as they would with them, especially

1 Dante, Inferno, xxxii.

V

The Victory of Bocca Degli
Uberti

SECOND NOVEL

THE SECOND NOVEL. 26$

the foot-soldiers who took refuge in the
village of Monte Aperti. Amongst
them were many men of Lucca and Or-
vieto, who were all killed ; and, besides
this, the Florentines lost the Carroccio
and the bell called Martinella. More
than two thousand five hundred were
slain, and more than fifteen hundred
taken prisoners. And when the defeated
Guelfs returned to Florence from Monte
Aperti, there arose in the city the most
bitter weeping and lamentation over the
disaster; because, of wellnigh every no-
ble family, some were left behind dead.
And as soon as the Guelfs realized that
the exiled were beginning to return to
Florence, they departed with their fami-
lies, and went to take up their abode in
Lucca.

This thing happened in the year
MCCLX, on the fourth day of September,
and then the exiled Ghibellines at Siena,
with the Conte Giordano, who was at
the head of the eight hundred Germans,
returned to Florence without further

266 THE EIGHTH DAY.

mishap, laden with spoil which they had
taken at Monte Aperti. Thus Flor-
ence surrendered itself to the Ghibelline
faction, the Conte Guido Novello dei
Conti Guidi being made podesta ; and he
caused to be made the gate called the
Porta Ghibellina, which looks towards
Casentino, so that he might be able to
bring in and let depart his own people
as he should desire. And from that time
the street between the gate and the place
where justice is dispensed has been called
the Via Ghibellina. The Guelfs of Flor-
ence were severely censured in that they
went forth to Monte Aperti without
knowing wherefore ; and when the news
reached the Roman court how the Flor-
entines had been overthrown at Monte
Aperti, the pope and many of the cardi-
nals were mightily displeased, because
the Church at Rome was humbled there-
by, and King Manfred greatly strength-
ened. But Cardinal Ottaviano degli
Ubaldini, being a Ghibelline, rejoiced
much thereat ; wherefore Cardinal Bianco,

THE SECOND NOfEL 2(3/

who was a skilled astrologer, spake a
prophecy in these words : * The con-
quered shall conquer in victorious fash-
ion, and shall never more be overcome/
And in like manner as the Guelfs had
quitted Florence, they also quitted Pis-
toia and Prato and San Miniato and San
Gimignano, and dwelt in Lucca, in that
quarter which adjoins San Friano, and
the loggia which stands opposite to San
Friano was built by the exiled Guelfs of
Florence.

The whole of the Tuscan territory be-
ing under the sway of the Ghibellines,
they held an assembly at Empoli, and
proposed that Florence should be laid
waste and become a group of townships ;
and this would have been carried had
it not been for Farinata, who refused
to agree thereto.1 And the Ghibellines
made Count Guido their captain, and
went to take the field against the forces
of Siena. They took Santa Croce, Cas-
telfranco and Santa Maria a Monte, and

1 Dante, Inferno, x.

268 THE EIGHTH DAY.

then went against Fucecchio, but this
place they could not capture because
within it was the flower of the Guelf
party. Then the exiled Guelfs sent an
embassy to Germany in order to stir up
to rebellion the young Conradin, and to
induce him to join them ; but. this thing
his mother forbade, as he was yet over
young. The following summer Count
Guido with all the sections of the Ghi-
belline party took the field against the
forces of Lucca, having been stirred up
thereto by the Pisans ; whereupon the
people of Lucca made alliance with the
Ghibellines and drove the Guelfs out of
their city, some of them going to Bo-
logna and Modena, and some to France
and England, in order to make gain by
traffic. And hence arose the great
wealth which came to Florence. Now
you have heard how the Guelfs let them-
selves be cozened and banished from
Florence, without knowing who had
wrought them this ill turn." And, hav-
ing finished her story, the amorous Sat-

THE SECOND NOVEL. 269

wrnina sang a very sweet song in the
following words :

Once more my ardent longings burn amain,

And twofold torments in my bosom rise,
And dire the flame, and pitiless the pain

Wrought by my lady's sweet and gentle eyes ;

And as I figure her fair face more clearly,
The more my soul of love of her is fain.

I see my fate, and yet I cherish dearly
My present bliss, what though set round with bane.

So may I find one sweet in all my woe
To lull my troubles in a lasting peace,

To serve her pleasure dear delights me so,

That coming days will bring me joy and ease ;

Wherefore, though burning love torments me sore,

I murmur not, so I have peace once more.

After the fair Saturnina had sung her
canzonet in exceeding gracious wise, the
two lovers brought their amorous dis-
course to an end for that day. They
took one another by the hand, and with
divers merry speeches, and with much
courtesy, they gave greeting and said
farewell, and each departed.

Contents.

VOLUME ONE.

PAGB

SALUTATION
PROEM

v
vii

jh'rst Bag

NOVEL I. Galgano is enamoured of Madonna
Minoccia, wife of Messer Stricca. She is not
minded to listen to him ; but, having heard
her husband speak great praise of Galgano,
she resolves to be cruel to him no longer.
The story of the virtuous resolution taken by
Galgano, at the moment when he was about
to enjoy her 3

NOVEL II. Bucciolo and Pietro Paolo go to
study at Bologna. Bucciolo, having been
licensed to practise the law, resolves to re-
turn to Rome without his friend, but after^

2/2 CONTENTS.

PAGH

wards settles to wait for him. Meantime he
asks the master who has taught him what
is the right way to make love. The good
fortune which befell him thereanent, and the
evil case of the master ........ 12

Second Bag ........... 43

NOVEL I. Madonna Corsina of Naples sends
her son to study at Bologna, where he falls
sick and dies. Of a device of his contrived
so that his mother may not be over-grieved
at his death ............ 45

NOVEL II. Buondelmonte falls in love with
Nicolosa, who had married one of the family
of Acciaiuoli, foes of the Buondelmonti, and
by the help of a serving-woman contrives to
gain admission to her bed. The narrative of
what the lady did thereupon; how peace was
restored between the two families, and how
the young man compassed his vengeance . 52

Bag

NOVEL I. Don Placido, a Florentine, travel-
ling to Avignon, finds companionship at Nice

7S

CONTENTS. 273

PACK

in Provence with a friar who is also bound
to the Pope's court. But it transpires that
the friar aforesaid is really a lady of Viterbo,
who is going to join a certain cardinal. Of
the good fortune which befel Don Placido on
the road until he came to Avignon . . . .77

NOVEL II. Ceccolo of Perugia, having wasted
all his substance over Isabella, the wife of
one Lapo, a Florentine, takes service with
Lapo, as a page. The craft of the lady in
taking her pleasure with Ceccolo, and in
making him beat her husband with a stick ;
and how it fell out that the husband held
Ceccolo dearer than ever, notwithstanding . 96

2Tfje JFourtfj Bag 109

NOVEL I. Giannetto after the death of his
father goes to Venice, and is received as a
son by Messer Ansaldo, a wealthy merchant.
Being taken with desire to see the world, he
embarks on a ship and sails to the port of
Belmonte. What happened to him in his
dealings with a certain widow lady of that
place, who had promised to marry any man

2/4 CONTENTS.

PAGB

who should lie with her and have enjoyment
of her in

NOVEL II. Count Aldobrandino, a man ad-
vanced in years, in order to get to wife the
daughter of Carsivalo, induces her father to
proclaim a tournament, with the damsel as
the first prize thereof. How he proved the
victor in the same and won the lady. . .157

i73

NOVEL I. Chello and Janni of Velletri feign
to be soothsayers, in order to cast shame
upon the Roman people. They are received
by Crassus at the state palace, and they dig
up for him certain pieces of money which
they had hidden in divers places. They next
declare that under the tower of the palace
of the tribunes is hidden a vast treasure.
Crassus causes the same to be mined and
underpinned ; and the soothsayers kindle a
fire there. Then they quit Rome, and the
next morning the tower falls, with great
slaughter of the Roman people . . . . .175

CONTENTS. 2?$

PAGE

NOVEL II. Janni and Ciucolo betake them-
selves to Boethius for advice: the one be-
cause he found himself with nothing in his
pocket at the end of the year, and the other
because he had a cross-grained wife. The
answer made to them by Boethius. . . .185

STfje Sfrtfj ISag 195

NOVEL I. Messer Alano, a learned doctor of
Paris, went to the court of Rome, and took
up his residence in a convent of monks as a
servant. It chanced that the Pope convoked
a consistory to refute the subtleties of Messer
Giovan Piero, another doctor of Paris, and a
noted heretic ; whereupon Messer Alano, hav-
ing entered the chamber under the abbot's
cope, took part in the dispute. How he
made himself known there, and how he con-
founded the opposing doctor 197

NOVEL II. The terrible doom Bernabo Vis-
conti, Duke of Milan, wrought upon Ambro-
gio, one of his courtiers, and upon a minor
friar . 210

276 CONTENTS.

PACK

Sebentfj Bag .......... 219

NOVEL I. The horrible cruelty used by Fran-
cesco Orsino towards Lisabetta his wife and
other kinsfolk, because of her becoming en-
amoured of a youth named Rinaldo ; and
the wretched end of Messer Orsino . . .221

NOVEL II. Messer Galeotto Malatesta di Ari-
mino causes Gostanza his niece to be slain
barbarously, as well as Ormanno, a German
soldier who was wont privily to visit her . 229

SEtgijtfj jBBag ........... 245

NOVEL I. How the parties of the Guelfs and
Ghibellines arose, and how the accursed seed
of strife was first sown and began to spring
in Italy ............. 247

NOVEL II. How the exiled Ghibellines of
Florence returned thither, and drove out the
Guelfs, and with what subtlety they cozened
the people of Florence ........ 256

3List of Illustrations.

VOLUME ONE.

ARTIST PACK

THE LADY OF BELMONTE WEL-
COMES GIANNETTO . . . . E. R. Hughes

Frontispiece

A LESSON IN LOVE E. R. Hughes 28

NICOLOSA DRAGGING BUONDEL-

MONTE FROM THE BATH . . E. R. Hughes 64

THE FLIGHT OF PETRUCCIA . . E. R. Hughes 90

GOSTANZA PRAYING BEFORE HER

EXECUTION E. R. Hughes 240

377

2?8 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

ARTIST PAGB

THE VICTORY OF BOCCA DEGLI

UBERTI E. R. Hughes 264

f^ete entetfj tije JFirst Falume.

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